Nigeria witnessed a watershed moment in its education sector on Thursday as Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, launched the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s (ADF) ₦100 billion annual Education Support Programme—a decade-long, ₦1 trillion commitment aimed at transforming learning outcomes for millions of young Nigerians.
Unveiled during a star-studded event at Eko Hotel, Lagos, and formally flagged off by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the initiative stands as the single largest private-sector investment in Nigeria’s education system.
The programme arrives at a critical time for Nigeria, a nation grappling with one of the world’s highest out-of-school populations and deepening socioeconomic inequality. Framed as a practical answer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the pledge underscores education as a national emergency and a strategic tool for economic stability.
The launch drew high-profile leaders from government, business, traditional institutions, and international development. Attendees included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, among others.
Inside the ₦1 trillion commitment
The initiative commences in January 2026, with ₦100 billion disbursed annually through a transparent, merit-driven process. Funding will support:
Scholarships and direct student support
- 45,000 new scholarships annually, benefiting up to 155,000 students each year and over 1.3 million across the decade.
- Dedicated funds for STEM undergraduates (30,000 per year), girls’ education, and students with disabilities—the latter receiving a landmark 25% allocation.
Teacher training
Capacity-building programs for 10,000 educators nationwide to improve learning outcomes and teaching quality.
Technical and Vocational Education (TVET)
Major investments in digital skills, vocational training centers, and youth-focused technical programmes.
Nationwide reach
Targeting Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, with emphasis on underserved and economically vulnerable populations.
Dangote emphasized the urgency behind the effort: “We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership.”
A personal commitment
In a move widely lauded by observers, Dangote revealed that 25% of his personal wealth has been committed to the Foundation, an unprecedented step intended to secure the programme’s sustainability beyond his lifetime.
The programme’s oversight will be led by a steering committee chaired by Justice Sidi Bage (rtd.), Emir of Lafia, who pledged “long-term, measurable impact” guided by data and transparent reporting.
Partners across Government and civil society
The ADF will work closely with multiple agencies and institutions, including:
- Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) — integration of scholarships and loan support
- NECO and WAEC — exam verification and access assistance
- UBEC and TETFUND — co-financing and structural support
- State governments, notably Lagos, which dedicates 10% of its budget to education
- NGOs and development partners, expanding reach and accountability
The programme’s digital selection platform is expected to serve as a national model for merit-based educational funding.
Nigeria’s human capital future
Nigeria’s education system has long faced structural obstacles, from economic hardship to cultural barriers, leaving millions of young people at risk. With West Africa holding the world’s lowest Human Capital Index, analysts believe Dangote’s pledge could shift the trajectory by catalyzing further investment from private philanthropies and corporate actors.
The announcement also builds on Dangote’s previous contributions, including ₦1 billion in university funding and a $700 million commitment disclosed at the 2025 Doha Forum earlier in the week.
As the programme prepares to roll out in 2026, optimism is growing across the country. Supporters say it signals a powerful shift toward private-public collaboration and long-term structural philanthropy. Critics acknowledge its promise, noting it could set a valuable benchmark for Africa’s wealthiest individuals.
