The Aliko Dangote Foundation’s ₦100 billion annual Scholarship Education Fund is being hailed as a “catalytic effort” that could transform Nigeria’s educational landscape, according to oil and gas business consultant Dan Kunle.
Speaking on ARISE News on Sunday, Kunle described the initiative as “the biggest gift ever. Since 1914, Nigeria was created… Incidentally, Aliko Dangote is the one breaking the records since 1914. There has never been a huge investment like this in education by an individual.”
The Dangote Scholarship Fund, according to Kunle, represents a rare “once in a generation” opportunity to uplift Nigerian youth and build a skilled, science- and technology-focused workforce.
“This is a catalytic effort. And we must respect it, we must appreciate it. We must celebrate it, because this is once in a generation you get a guy like this with big heart,” Kunle concluded.
The scholarship is set to support about 1.3 million students over 10 years, with an ambitious scale-up from 45,000 scholars in its first year to 155,000 by the fourth year. Kunle emphasised that the fund prioritises girls, noting, “He’s putting a higher ratio for girls because they are the most deprived in terms of educational access in this country.”
He explained that the scholarship will cover secondary through tertiary education, including tuition, materials, and scientific laboratory equipment. Students will be selected using existing educational structures, including JAMB, WAEC, NECO, NUC, and NBTE, ensuring a transparent and merit-based process. “It will not be rowdy. It will be scientifically done,” Kunle said.
On concerns about repayment, Kunle clarified, “It is a scholarship. You are not giving it to them as loan. You will forever in your family say, oh, I used the scholarship of Dangote to get a degree in chemistry or engineering or mathematics. So it will live with you forever.” He added that Dangote has pledged 25% of his wealth to the initiative to ensure sustainability, even as student numbers grow.
Kunle also highlighted the potential long-term impact, stating, “In five, ten years’ time, this scheme will bring out good quality stock. That is the only way to build a nation. If we don’t embark on such a journey, this country is doomed.”
Beyond education, Kunle praised Dangote’s refinery for its scale and operational efficiency, which he says enabled the recent petrol price reduction from ₦828 to about ₦699 per litre. “The refinery has brought a scale to Africa, to Nigerian Africa, that we have never seen before. The scale is bogus… Even if (Dangote) is losing money, can lose for one or two months and still not be at a loss… reduce the price and Nigerians will enjoy it,” he said.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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