Dangote’s Billionaire Uncle, Aminu Dantata, Died at 94

Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, a prominent Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, and uncle to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has passed away at the age of 94.

TJ News Nigeria reports that the Kano-born industrialist died peacefully in Kano on Saturday, as confirmed by his Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, in a public statement on Facebook.

“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 posted.

A Pillar of Northern Nigeria’s Economy

Born on 19 May 1931 into the legendary Agalawa trading family, Aminu Dantata was the son of Alhassan Dantata, one of the most influential pre-independence merchants in West Africa.

Dantata inherited the business acumen of his father and went on to build an extensive commercial empire. In 1960, he assumed executive control of Alhassan Dantata & Sons, a trading firm originally focused on groundnut, kolanut, and other commodities.

 

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Business Expansion and Industrial Legacy

By the 1970s, Alhaji Aminu Dantata had expanded the company’s focus beyond commodity trading. He established the Northern Amalgamated and Marketing Company Limited, which later diversified into multiple sectors:

• Fertilizer distribution for government contracts
• Technical equipment supply, including WARD generators and Barford construction machines
• Automobile dealership, particularly Mercedes-Benz
• Port operations with a terminal at Warri Port

In the 1990s, the company rebranded as the Dantata Organization, expanding further into oil exploration through Express Petroleum.

TJ News Nigeria learnt that the Dantata business group became a strategic partner for both local and international firms, with significant influence in construction, transport, manufacturing, and energy.

A Lifelong Philanthropist

Beyond his business pursuits, Dantata was also renowned for his charity and social development efforts. He was one of the founders of the Kano State Foundation, an endowment established to:

• Support education for underprivileged youth
• Provide grants and microloans to small-scale entrepreneurs
• Promote Islamic and moral values in Northern Nigeria

He was known to sponsor students through tertiary institutions both in Nigeria and abroad. His contributions to the socio-economic development of Northern Nigeria earned him several local and national honors.

Personal Life and Family Ties

Alhaji Aminu Dantata was not only a businessman but also a family patriarch. He was an uncle to Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man, and a respected elder in the Dantata-Dangote business dynasty.

Though he kept a low public profile, Dantata remained influential in business and political circles until his final days. He was also known for his deep religious commitment and philanthropy within Islamic communities.

Reaction and National Mourning

As of press time, tributes have begun to pour in from across the country, especially from business leaders, Islamic clerics, and political figures who described him as a “giant in commerce and a father to many.”

The Kano State Government is expected to issue an official statement on his passing, and preparations for his Janazah (Islamic burial rites) are ongoing.

A Legacy Etched in Nigerian History

Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s death marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s business landscape. From trading groundnuts in colonial Nigeria to investing in modern industries, his legacy remains one of resilience, foresight, and impact.

He is survived by children, grandchildren, and extended family members who continue to run various branches of the Dantata business empire.

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TJ News Nigeria will continue to provide updates on the burial arrangements and national reactions.

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