Kano is in mourning following the passing of Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, a prominent billionaire, serial entrepreneur and renowned philanthropist. He died on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the age of 94.
The news of his demise was confirmed by his Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, who shared a heartfelt message announcing the loss. “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata,” Junaid’s statement read, adding that details of the Janazah (funeral prayers) would be announced in due course.
Born on May 19, 1931, Alhaji Aminu Dantata was a scion of the influential Dantata family of Kano, a lineage deeply rooted in commerce and enterprise. He not only upheld his family’s rich legacy, inherited from his father, Alhassan Dantata – one of West Africa’s wealthiest merchants in the early 20th century – but significantly expanded it. Over several decades, he diversified the family’s business interests into various sectors including construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture and oil and gas.
Alhaji Dantata is an uncle to Aliko Dangote.
Beyond his immense business acumen, Alhaji Dantata was widely celebrated for his extensive philanthropic endeavors. He was known for his modesty, religious devotion and commitment to community development, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Through his charitable foundation and personal giving, he supported countless initiatives in education, youth empowerment and social welfare, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of many.
His contributions to the Kano State Foundation, in particular, were instrumental in supporting education and entrepreneurship.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across Nigeria, with business leaders, political figures, religious scholars, and ordinary citizens remembering him as not just a symbol of immense wealth, but a beacon of prosperity and a benefactor whose legacy will endure for generations. Many credit him with mentoring numerous entrepreneurs and providing foundational support that helped shape the business landscape in Nigeria.
Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata is survived by his children, grandchildren, and a vast network of admirers who continue to uphold his enduring legacy.
