Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, a titan of Nigerian entrepreneurship, has passed away at the age of 94. Renowned for his business acumen and philanthropy, Dantata died in the early hours of Saturday at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after a brief illness .

A Life Well-Lived

Born: May 19, 1931, Kano, Nigeria

Legacy: Son of Alhassan Dantata—one of West Africa’s wealthiest merchants—and uncle to billionaire Aliko Dangote .

Business Ventures: Founder of Express Petroleum & Gas and a key figure in establishing Islamic banking (Jaiz Bank). His empire spanned real estate, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, banking, and oil & gas .

Public Service: Served as Kano State Commissioner for Planning & Development (1967–1972), member of the Northern House of Assembly (1960–1966), and was on the Constitution Drafting Committee for the 1979 constitution .

Philanthropy: Funded schools, mosques, hospitals, orphanages, and community projects. Donated over ₦1.5 billion to flood victims in Borno State in 2024 .

Confirmations & Tributes

His Personal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, and his grandchildren—including Sanusi and Nanah—confirmed the death on social media .

Uba Tanko, Deputy National Treasurer of NACCIMA, also announced the passing and noted that funeral arrangements will follow .

Politicians across the spectrum mourned his loss:

Governor Umar Namadi described him as “a pillar of compassion, integrity, and generosity”.

Former Governor/Senator Orji Uzor Kalu praised Dantata’s humility and impact on national development .

President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari both lamented his passing as “a monumental national loss,” highlighting his contributions to education, healthcare, and national unity .

Funeral Arrangements

Details of the Janazah (funeral) will be communicated in due course by the family. Alhaji Dantata is survived by seven children and numerous grandchildren .