Prominent Kano businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata has passed on at the age of 94.
His death was confirmed on Saturday through a Facebook post by his Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid.
“It is with 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.
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 commercial sector, 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.
Adding to his business achievements, Dantata held several key public and private sector roles. 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.
Highly esteemed for his humility, religious devotion, and dedication to community development, Dantata channeled his wealth into numerous philanthropic efforts. Through his foundation and personal initiatives, he funded the construction of schools, mosques, health centers, orphanages, and other social welfare programs 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.
Although there were conflicting reports about his place of death, some citing Abuja, some other sources confirmed that he passed away at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Friday.
Funeral arrangements will be made known in due course, according to the family.