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Dangote Unveils ₦1 Trillion Scholarship Scheme for 1.3 Million Nigerian Students
Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) and the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced a ₦1 trillion scholarship programme to expand access to education and promote academic excellence across Nigeria.
Biztellers reports that starting in 2026, the initiative will support over 1.3 million students from all 774 local government areas, with ₦100 billion committed annually for 10 years.
The programme targets Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners and is structured into three categories: Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars – 30,000 undergraduates in public universities and polytechnics will receive tuition support of up to ₦600,000 per year; Aliko Dangote Technical Scholars – 5,000 TVET trainees will get essential study materials and technical tools; MHF Dangote Secondary School Girls Scholars – 10,000 girls in public schools will receive uniforms, books, and learning supplies, prioritizing states with high out-of-school rates.
To be Implemented in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC, and NECO, the scheme will use a merit-based, fully digital system for selection and disbursement. Dangote emphasized that this is a strategic investment in human capital, aimed at reducing inequality and driving national development.
The initiative aligns with government education reforms and will be overseen by a Programme Steering Committee chaired by Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage. Dangote pledged 25% of his wealth to sustain the programme, with progress reviewed under Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 strategy.
The programme is to be implemented through strong collaboration with national institutions including NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC, and NECO, ensuring transparent beneficiary selection, verification, and efficient digital disbursement. Heads of all the agencies were present at the launch.
Dangote said the intervention is aimed at Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners, noting that financial hardship, not lack of talent, is the primary reason many drop out of school.
“This is not only charity. This is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future. 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 said. “Our young people are not asking for handouts. They are asking for opportunities. They are asking for a chance to learn, to grow, to compete and to succeed. And we believe they deserve that chance.”
Dangote, who said the ADF which has historically focused on health and nutrition as core areas of human capital development emphasized that the current economic climate has made educational support an urgent imperative.
Said he: “No young person should have their future cut short because of financial hardship. We are stepping forward to ensure students stay in school and pursue their ambitions. This initiative is more than financial aid—it is an investment in human capital, with ripple effects on economies, societies, and future generations. When a student gets a scholarship, entire communities stand to benefit.”
He described education as “the foundation on which every prosperous society is built”, calling it the most powerful equaliser and the strongest engine of social mobility. Despite this, he warned that many talented Nigerian students continue to face financial pressures that threaten to push them out of school. Their dreams, he said, are limited not by ability but by opportunity. “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,” Dangote said.
Noting that this concern informed the Foundation’s new Education Support Initiative, Dangote stressed that the effort is intended as a starting point rather than a standalone solution. “A single organization cannot solve Nigeria’s education challenges alone,” he said. “The government has a role. The private sector has a role. Communities and families have their roles. When we work together, we can transform education — and with it, transform Nigeria’s future.”
Addressing young Nigerians directly, Dangote said: “your dreams matter. Your education matters. Your future matters. We believe in you. We are investing in you. And we are committed to ensuring that you do not walk this journey alone.”
The Foundation, he said, will use a merit-based and fully digital system for verification, disbursement and monitoring, working in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC and NECO. Dangote said the focus will be on measurable outcomes including retention, completion rates and post-school impact. He noted that the vision behind the initiative is to give every deserving child the chance to learn — unfettered by cost, free to dream, and equipped to achieve.
To oversee implementation, a Programme Steering Committee has been constituted, chaired by His Highness Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, Emir of Lafia. Other members include former vice-chancellors, senior education administrators, technical advisors and representatives of the Dangote family.
Dangote also disclosed that the programme’s long-term sustainability is tied to his formal commitment to allocate 25 per cent of his wealth to the Aliko Dangote Foundation, adding that the progress on the initiative will be reviewed in 2030 as part of Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 strategy.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda in the education sector, alongside the Federal Ministry of Education, SUBEBs and state governments, for “deliberate and steady efforts” to support learners amid economic pressures.
Vice President Kashim Shettima who lauded Dangote for his vision in business and national development said the new intervention demonstrates the critical role of private-sector actors in national development. He noted that Nigeria’s demographic growth makes urgent investment in education indispensable, warning that “a population becomes a liability only when it is uneducated.”
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote, through his far-reaching philanthropy, has set in motion the single largest private-sector education support intervention in the history of this country,” Shettima said. “What he has done here today is a lesson to each of us. This is nation-building in its purest form.”
Shettima highlighted ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), strengthened basic education infrastructure through UBEC, expanded TETFUND interventions and accelerated technical and vocational programmes.
He said these reforms aim to improve Nigeria’s poor Human Capital Index ranking and prepare young people for a skills-driven global economy. Describing Dangote’s philanthropy as “structural and long term,” Shettima said the initiative aligns strongly with the government’s priority of expanding equitable access to education.
“No nation surpasses the aspirations of its most committed patriots,” he said.
“The legacy of Alhaji Aliko Dangote reminds us that greatness is not measured by wealth but by the number of lives one lifts from the shadows into the light.”
The Vice President added that the Aliko Dangote Foundation programme will widen opportunities for thousands of learners and bolster the FG’s efforts to build a competitive workforce. He called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners to address persistent gaps in the education system.
In his presentation, Education Minister Tunji Alausa described the initiative as “pure human capital development,” saying it aligns with the Tinubu administration’s education sector renewal plan of transforming Nigeria from resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy and is significant because every local government area will benefit.
He said by the end of the first decade of the execution of the scholarship programme, it is estimated that over 170,000 girl child would have gone to school.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of the 36 state governors, also commended the initiative and pledged the governors’ full support.
Chairman of the Programme Steering Committee, His Highness Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, Emir of Lafia, said the scheme is unprecedented and praised Dangote’s patriotism in reinvesting his wealth to uplift other Nigerians.
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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, said Dangote’s impact in driving private-sector transformation remains unmatched, describing the new initiative as both transformational and a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.
He recalled how ADF had come to the aid of his community during a devastating communal feud that led to destruction of several properties.
In her virtual remark from the United States of America, United Nation deputy secretary General, Amina Mohammed said the scholarship scheme will provide an environment for children to learn and for families to prosper.
The scholarship programme represents the most extensive private-sector scholarship commitment in Nigeria’s history and reinforces ADF’s mission to expand opportunities, drive social impact, and enhance the wellbeing of individuals and communities across the country.
Photo caption, from left: Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf; Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya; Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule; Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima; Chairman Steering Committee, ADF Scholarship Programme; Justice Sidi Bage, JSC; Chairman, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II); Chairman, BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Balarabe; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the launching of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) N100 Billion Education Scholarship Initiative nationwide in Lagos on Thursday, December 11, 2025
Residents of Ankpechi community in Oglewu Ward, along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, were thrown into panic on Thursday after suspected armed herders reportedly invaded the area, shot a resident and looted several provision stores.
The attack, which occurred between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., forced traders, customers and residents to flee for safety as the gunmen allegedly fired sporadically upon entering the community.
A resident said people had just begun their daily activities and shop owners were opening for business when the attackers suddenly emerged and opened fire.
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“We have all been on the alert since the attacks on neighbouring communities. So, when people sighted them, they raised the alarm, and everyone started running for safety.
“They moved into people’s shops, looted goods and food items before leaving. Unfortunately, one man was shot, but he was still alive when help arrived. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment,” the resident said.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, said the attackers were suspected armed herders.
“Yes, there was an attack this morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. by suspected armed herdsmen. They came to Ankpechi community in Oglewu Ward, shooting sporadically. They shot one person, forcing residents to scamper for safety.
“They burgled shops in the area and carted away goods, particularly food items. This tells you that they are operating very close to our communities. They could not get food elsewhere, so they came into Ohimini and used force to take food from our people.
“The residents identified them as armed herdsmen. The victim who was shot has been taken to the hospital, and we are hopeful that he will survive,” Adole said.
The council chairman disclosed that he immediately informed Governor Hyacinth Alia and alerted security agencies after the attack, prompting the deployment of security operatives to the affected community.
“I informed the governor immediately, and security personnel were promptly deployed to the area. Many security operatives are currently on the ground, while others are combing the surrounding bushes,” he added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comments.
The latest attack comes amid growing concerns over recurring assaults on communities in Benue State, with residents calling for stronger security measures to stem the wave of violence.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to immediately step aside pending the outcome of investigations into the death of Miss Mary Habila, a staff member who died at the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, Atiku said suspending Umahi during the investigation would demonstrate accountability and strengthen public confidence in the process.
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Habila, a 26-year-old from Nok in Southern Kaduna, died on June 27, 2026, at a building within Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Expressing sympathy to the deceased’s family, Atiku said condolences alone were not enough without uncovering the truth behind her death.
“First, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Habila family. No family should have to mourn a daughter taken in the prime of her life while also fighting simply to learn the truth of how she died,” he said.
The former vice-president raised concerns over the pace of the investigation, alleging that no autopsy had yet been conducted and noting that the probe remained under the Ebonyi State Police Command, where Umahi previously served as governor.
Atiku, however, stressed that he was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, insisting that only an independent and transparent investigation could establish the facts.
“Let me be clear: I make no pronouncement on anyone’s guilt or innocence. That is precisely the point. Only a credible, independent, and transparent investigation can establish the truth,” he stated.
According to Atiku, the death of a young Nigerian inside the residence of a serving minister demands the highest level of transparency and accountability.
He urged President Tinubu to direct Umahi to step aside while investigations continue.
“President Bola Tinubu must direct the Honourable Minister of Works to step aside immediately, pending the conclusion of investigations. This is not a punishment; it is the minimum standard of public accountability in any serious democracy,” Atiku said.
The former presidential candidate also called on the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the Force Headquarters and involve independent forensic experts.
He further demanded that a comprehensive forensic autopsy be conducted without delay and that the findings be made public.
Atiku also appealed for protection for Habila’s family, urging authorities to ensure they have unrestricted access to information about the circumstances surrounding her death without intimidation.
Meanwhile, Umahi had earlier requested that the police carry out a forensic autopsy by qualified pathologists to determine the exact cause of Habila’s death.
He also asked that her remains should not be released to her family until the autopsy and other investigations are concluded.
A devastating fire has claimed the lives of at least 11 people, including several children, after an orphanage in Algeria’s capital, Algiers, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Thursday.
The deadly incident occurred in the Mohammadia suburb as Algeria continues to grapple with an intense heatwave that has triggered hundreds of wildfires across the country’s northern regions.
Firefighters responded to the scene before dawn and battled the blaze for hours in an effort to contain the flames.
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A nearby resident, Abdessalam Merrah, recounted the horrifying moments when the fire broke out.
“At around 3 a.m., we heard the fire engines arriving and the children screaming,” he said.
“We helped as much as we could, but unfortunately we were told that 11 people had already died.”
Authorities said the death toll is provisional, while 19 other people were injured in the fire. The cause of the blaze has not yet been established.
Images from the scene showed blackened window frames and heavy fire damage to the orphanage.
A witness said firefighters had to use a chainsaw to cut through metal window bars to gain access to parts of the building during the rescue operation.
Rachid Belhadj, head of the forensic medicine department at Mustapha Bacha Hospital, said several of the victims were burned beyond recognition, making DNA testing necessary to confirm their identities.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune later confirmed that “several children” were among those killed in the tragedy.
National television also broadcast footage of Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visiting survivors receiving treatment at two hospitals in Algiers.
932 Fires Recorded in One Week
The orphanage tragedy comes as Algeria battles a severe heatwave that has fuelled widespread wildfires across the country.
According to the Civil Defence, 932 fires were recorded between July 8 and July 15, with the majority already extinguished while a handful remain active.
The worsening fire crisis has also claimed the life of a municipal worker who died while battling a wildfire in the northern province of Setif earlier this week.
To contain the fires, authorities have deployed more than 19,000 emergency personnel, over 700 fire trucks, six helicopters, and 12 water-bombing aircraft.
Residents have also been evacuated from several affected provinces, including Bejaia, Guelma, Bouira, and Mila, as emergency teams continue to battle the blazes.
Northern Algeria is hit by forest fires almost every summer, with experts pointing to prolonged drought and climate change as major factors behind the worsening outbreaks.
Authorities have also said they suspect some of the fires were deliberately started, with several suspects already taken into custody.
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