KANO — In a major boost to higher education and entrepreneurship in Northern Nigeria, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bayero University Kano (BUK). The agreement, worth ₦1.5 billion, is specifically designed to support postgraduate students at the Dangote Business School (DBS).
Unveiled during a signing ceremony at the school’s main auditorium on February 17, 2026, the funding is structured as a five-year commitment to alleviate the financial burden on future business leaders.
The 50% Tuition Lifeline
Starting with the 2024/2025 academic session, the foundation will disburse ₦300 million annually over five years. This capital is earmarked for scholarship awards to all eligible MBA, Entrepreneurship, and Management postgraduate students.
Under this framework, each beneficiary will receive ₦150,000 per session, which effectively covers 50% of the current ₦300,000 tuition fee at the institution.
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Automatic Reductions: Newly admitted students will see the reduction applied directly during their registration process.
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Rebates: Returning students who have already paid their full fees for the session will receive the scholarship as a rebate.
Building “Soft Infrastructure”
Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote, representing the ADF Board of Trustees, emphasized that this move represents a strategic shift from “hard infrastructure” (buildings) to “soft infrastructure” (people).
“Our vision is to build human capital that translates into economic opportunity. Strengthening business education is critical to turning knowledge into enterprise, innovation, and jobs,” she stated.
The Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Haruna Musa, highlighted the timing of the intervention, noting its particular importance for families navigating current economic pressures and its role in encouraging women to take up leadership roles in enterprise.
Scholarship at a Glance
The Global Context: Billionaire Philanthropy
This initiative joins a growing list of private sector-led interventions in African education. Dangote’s commitment mirrors the work of other continental titans like Tony Elumelu and Strive Masiyiwa, who have increasingly prioritized leadership capacity as a tool for long-term regional competitiveness.
By investing directly in the students of Dangote Business School, the foundation is betting that the next “unicorn” or industrial giant will be born in a Kano classroom, fueled by structured education rather than just chance.
