The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has signed a ₦1.5 billion Memorandum of Understanding with Bayero University Kano (BUK) to fund postgraduate education at the Dangote Business School.
The agreement provides ₦300 million annually for five years. It is designed to support MBA, entrepreneurship, and management students enrolled at the Business School.
The MoU was signed on Tuesday at the School’s main auditorium in Kano.
₦300 Million Annually for Five Years
Under the arrangement, each eligible student will receive ₦150,000 per academic session, beginning with the 2024/2025 session. The amount represents 50 per cent of the current ₦300,000 tuition fee.
The Business School currently has 1,225 postgraduate students. Of this figure, 696 are fresh students while 529 are returning.
The agreement was jointly signed by ADF Board Trustee, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote, and the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Haruna Musa.
Newly admitted students will enjoy automatic tuition reductions during registration. Meanwhile, returning students who have already paid their fees will receive rebates.
Investing in Human Capital and Enterprise
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, chairs the Foundation and serves as Group President of Dangote Industries Limited. He was represented at the event by Mariya Aliko Dangote.
Speaking at the ceremony, he reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to enterprise development.
“Our vision at the Foundation is to build human capital that translates into economic opportunity. Strengthening business and entrepreneurship education is critical to turning knowledge into enterprise, innovation, and jobs. This scholarship deepens our commitment to Dangote Business School by investing directly in the next generation of business leaders and change-makers.”
The Vice Chancellor described the intervention as timely and impactful.
“This support comes at a critical time for many families. Beyond financial relief, it strengthens the Business School’s role as a centre for developing entrepreneurial and management talent, particularly for women who are increasingly taking leadership roles in enterprise.”
From Infrastructure to Direct Student Support
The initiative, titled the “MHF Dangote Graduate Business Scholarship,” represents a strategic shift. Previously, the Foundation supported maintenance of the Business School complex commissioned in 2018.
However, this new intervention focuses directly on students. It prioritises enterprise leadership and management capacity development.
The programme is distinct from ADF’s nationwide STEM interventions. While those initiatives target secondary and undergraduate levels, this scholarship is strictly postgraduate and institution-based.
Any unutilised funds in the first year will remain within the School’s development envelope. These funds will strengthen digital capacity and learning infrastructure.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation continues to focus on health, education, and empowerment nationwide. Meanwhile, Bayero University Kano maintains its commitment to excellence in teaching and research.