Aliko Dangote Commits $688 Million to Revolutionise Nigerian Education

One of the biggest headlines this season comes from Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and his foundation’s bold new move. On December 14, the Aliko Dangote Foundation announced a historic pledge of N1 trillion ($688 million) over the next decade to strengthen Nigeria’s education system.

It’s a massive commitment with an equally massive vision: the initiative will start by supporting 45,000 students and scale up to reach 1.33 million beneficiaries. The focus? STEM education and girls’ education; two areas that could completely reshape Nigeria’s future if given the right resources.

Photo: Victor J. Blue 

At its core, the program is designed to tackle educational inequalities. By targeting vulnerable students and rolling out programs to prevent dropouts, the foundation is prioritising access to quality education for communities that have often been left behind. The goal is simple but powerful: empower the next generation of Nigerian leaders and innovators.

This pledge also comes at a time when Dangote’s philanthropic work is being recognised globally. Recently named among TIME’s Top 100 Philanthropists, his long‑standing commitment to social impact is now being matched with one of the largest private‑sector investments in African education to date.

The ripple effects could be huge. Experts say this initiative could drive improvements in literacy rates, gender parity in schools, and overall access to education across Nigeria. It’s a landmark moment for African philanthropy, setting a new standard for how private foundations can step in to address systemic challenges.

Alikodangote Foundation| Nassarawa Women July 2018

As the decade unfolds, the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s pledge isn’t just about education. It’s about rewriting futures, breaking cycles of inequality, and proving that when vision meets investment, the impact can last for generations.