In a historic move poised to transform Nigeria’s education landscape, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), and President of Dangote Group, has unveiled a ₦1 trillion scholarship programme aimed at expanding access to education and promoting academic excellence across the country.
The announcement was made during a high-profile launch in Lagos on Thursday, December 11, 2025, attended by national leaders, education stakeholders, and traditional rulers.
The programme, set to commence in 2026, will support over 1.3 million students across all 774 Local Government Areas, with ₦100 billion committed annually over ten years. It represents the largest private-sector investment in education in Nigerian history and underscores Dangote’s commitment to human capital development.
Strategic Investment in Human Capital
Dangote emphasized that this initiative is more than charity: it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, aimed at reducing inequality, promoting social mobility, and strengthening national development.
“No young person should have their future cut short because of financial hardship. This initiative is more than financial aid—it is an investment in human capital, with ripple effects on economies, societies, and future generations,” Dangote said.
He highlighted that financial hardship, not lack of talent, remains the primary reason many students drop out of school, and stressed that the programme is designed to ensure deserving students can continue their education without interruption.
Programme Structure and Beneficiaries
The scholarship scheme is structured into three main categories, targeting Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners:
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Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars – 30,000 undergraduate students in public universities and polytechnics will receive tuition support of up to ₦600,000 per year, prioritising science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), fields.
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Aliko Dangote Technical Scholars – 5,000 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), students will receive essential study materials and technical tools.
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MHF Dangote Secondary School Girls Scholars – 10,000 girls in public schools will receive uniforms, books, and learning supplies, focusing on states with high rates of out-of-school girls.
The programme will expand progressively, with initial support for 45,000 beneficiaries in its first year, scaling up to 155,000 annually by the fourth year, ultimately benefiting over 1.3 million Nigerians by 2036.
Implementation and Oversight
To ensure transparency and efficiency, the scholarship will be administered digitally through a merit-based system, in collaboration with key national institutions including NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC, and NECO. Heads of all these agencies were present at the launch to underscore their commitment to accountability.
A Programme Steering Committee, chaired by His Highness Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, Emir of Lafia, and comprising former vice-chancellors, senior education administrators, technical advisors, and Dangote family representatives, will oversee the programme.
Dangote also pledged 25% of his wealth to sustain the initiative long-term, with progress to be reviewed under the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Government and Stakeholder Support
The initiative has received broad acclaim from the Federal Government, state governments, and education stakeholders.
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Vice President Kashim Shettima – described the scholarship as “the single largest private-sector education support intervention in the history of this country,” emphasizing its alignment with ongoing government reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s Human Capital Index and preparing young people for a skills-driven global economy.
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Education Minister Tunji Alausa – called the programme “pure human capital development,” noting that every local government area will benefit and projecting that over 170,000 girls will have gained access to education by the end of the programme’s first decade.
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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu – representing all 36 state governors, pledged support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to strengthen educational infrastructure nationwide.
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Traditional rulers including Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, praised Dangote’s patriotism and private-sector leadership in national development.
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UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed – joining virtually from the United States, applauded the initiative for creating a supportive environment for children to learn and families to prosper.
Vision and Impact
Dangote described education as “the foundation on which every prosperous society is built,” noting that access to learning is the most powerful equaliser and the strongest engine of social mobility. He stressed that the programme is intended to be a starting point for collaborative transformation, with roles for government, private sector, communities, and families.
The programme aims to improve retention, completion rates, and post-school outcomes, creating ripple effects that will benefit entire communities and contribute to Nigeria’s long-term socio-economic transformation.
Why It Matters
With millions of Nigerian students still facing barriers to education due to economic hardship, Dangote’s initiative provides a lifeline for academic talent, ensuring that no child is limited by opportunity rather than ability. The programme also reinforces the ADF’s mission to expand opportunities, drive social impact, and enhance the wellbeing of communities across Nigeria.
By prioritising vulnerable learners, girls in particular, and STEM/technical education, the scholarship has the potential to reshape Nigeria’s workforce, reduce inequality, and empower the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
This initiative not only underscores the power of private-sector philanthropy but also serves as a model for nation-building through strategic investment in education. As Dangote aptly noted, “Your dreams matter.
Your education matters. Your future matters. We are investing in you, and we are committed to ensuring that you do not walk this journey alone.”
