Prominent Kano businessman and philanthropist Alhaji Aminu Dantata has passed away. He died at the age of 94.
His death was confirmed on Saturday via a Facebook post by his Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata.
“May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and forgive his shortcomings.
“The Janazah details will be shared later, insha Allah,” Junaid wrote.
In December 2022, REPORTERS AT LARGE reported Aminu Alhassan Dantata declaring that he no longer finds pleasure in life at the age of 91. He added that he is hoping to depart this world in good faith.
The wealthy businessman made this statement when he hosted the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Kashim Shettima, in Kano.
He disclosed that many of the friends and people he met across Nigeria at a young age have died. He noted that he could hardly call out 10 who were still alive.
About Alhaji Aminu Dantata
Dantata was the founder of Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd.
He was also the brother of Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s grandfather.
Born on May 19, 1931, Dantata was a scion of the influential Dantata family and son of Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, one of West Africa’s wealthiest merchants in the early 20th century.
He was widely respected for his immense contributions to commerce, Islamic scholarship, education, and humanitarian causes.
Over the decades, he expanded the family’s business empire, diversifying into construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors. His ventures also spanned real estate, petroleum, and finance.
In addition to his business achievements, Dantata held several key positions in the public and private sectors. He served in the Kano State Government and was a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee that prepared Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution. He was also a mentor to generations of entrepreneurs and civic leaders.
Revered for his humility, religious devotion, and dedication to community development, Dantata channelled his wealth into numerous philanthropic efforts. Through his foundation and personal initiatives, he funded the construction of schools, mosques, health centres, orphanages, and other social welfare programmes across Northern Nigeria.
His death was also acknowledged by Uba Tanko, Deputy National Treasurer of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), who paid tribute to his legacy in a social media post.
