Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote has unveiled a landmark N1 trillion education fund aimed at reducing financial barriers that force millions of young Nigerians out of school. The initiative, known as the Education Support Initiative, was launched through the Aliko Dangote Foundation on Thursday.
According to Dangote, the fund is designed to run for 10 years, with an annual investment of N100 billion. Beginning in 2026, the programme will support 45,000 new students annually, increasing to 155,000 beneficiaries by its fourth year and sustaining that level for the remainder of the decade. Overall, the initiative is expected to reach 1.3 million students across all 774 local government areas.
Dangote explained that the intervention is structured into four programmes targeting sectors most affected by educational exclusion. A key component, the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars, will support 30,000 undergraduate students annually in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across the country’s public universities and polytechnics. Tuition support will be aligned with actual institutional fees.
He emphasised that financial hardship—not lack of talent—is the main reason many Nigerian students drop out. “This is not only charity. This is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future,” Dangote said. “Every child we keep in school strengthens our economy. Every student we support reduces inequality. Every scholar we empower becomes a future contributor to national development.”
He further described education as the backbone of every prosperous society, stressing that Nigeria cannot rise above the quality of education it offers its youth.
Despite heavy investments by his foundation in health, nutrition, economic empowerment and humanitarian projects over the past three decades, Dangote noted that financial pressures continue to hinder many talented students from accessing education. “We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people,” he added.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who spoke at the event, praised Dangote for launching what he described as the largest private-sector education intervention in Nigeria’s history. He said Nigeria’s rapid population growth makes urgent investment in education vital.
“What he has done here today is nation-building in its purest form,” the Vice President said. He added that the initiative complements the government’s drive to expand equitable access to education and develop a competitive workforce.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, commended the initiative for aligning with the Tinubu administration’s plan to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-driven economy. He noted that the programme’s focus on girls’ education would see at least 170,000 girls enrolled through the MHF scholars by the end of its first decade.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, were among dignitaries present at the launch.
The government and stakeholders at the event called for strengthened partnerships between the private sector, government and development partners to close persistent gaps in the education system.
