Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, has committed N1.5 billion (about $1.1 million) to fund a major postgraduate scholarship programme at Bayero University Kano, providing financial relief to hundreds of business students over the next five years.

The initiative, supported by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will benefit MBA, entrepreneurship, and management students through the MHF Dangote Graduate Business Scholarship, aimed at strengthening business education and human capital development in Nigeria.

Details of the Scholarship Programme

Under the agreement, N300 million will be disbursed annually for five years. Each eligible postgraduate student will receive N150,000 per academic session, starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, covering half of the current N300,000 tuition fee charged by the Dangote Business School.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed at a ceremony held at the Dangote Business School auditorium in Kano, with representatives of the foundation and the university in attendance.

University records indicate that the Dangote Business School currently has 1,225 postgraduate students, comprising 696 fresh students and 529 returning students, all of whom fall within the scholarship’s coverage framework.

Relief for Students, Investment in the Future

One of the beneficiaries, Khalid Bababubu, an MBA Finance and Investment student, described the initiative as timely and life-changing.

“We are happy to be beneficiaries of this initiative. Education is the bedrock of national development, and we will not take this scholarship for granted,” he said.

Representing the foundation, Mariya Aliko Dangote said the programme reflects a long-term vision of building human capital and expanding economic opportunities.

“Our vision at the Foundation is to build human capital that translates into economic opportunity. Strengthening business and entrepreneurship education is critical to turning knowledge into enterprise, innovation and jobs,” she stated.

University Commends Dangote’s Support

The Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, Prof. Haruna Musa, said the funding comes at a critical time for many Nigerian families facing rising living and education costs.

“Beyond financial relief, it strengthens the Business School’s role as a centre for developing entrepreneurial and management talent, particularly for women who are increasingly taking leadership roles in enterprise,” he said.

University authorities explained that:

  • New students will have the tuition reduction applied automatically during registration.

  • Returning students who have already paid full fees will receive rebates.

  • Any unused funds will be invested in improving learning facilities and strengthening digital academic infrastructure.

The scholarship programme is separate from other nationwide education initiatives by the foundation, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).