Aminu Alhassan Dantata Biography
Aminu Alhassan Dantata (May 19, 1931 – June 28, 2025) was a prominent Nigerian businessman, industrialist, philanthropist, and political figure. Born in Kano, Northern Nigeria, he was the fifteenth of seventeen children in the wealthy and influential Dantata family, known for its deep roots in commerce and Islamic scholarship.
He was the son of Alhassan Dantata, one of the wealthiest West African merchants of the early 20th century, and Amina Umma Zaria. Aminu received his early education at Dala Primary School from 1938 to 1945 and later completed his studies through home schooling in a private school built by his father.
In 1948, he joined the family business, Alhassan Dantata & Sons, as a produce buyer. By 1955, he had become the Sokoto district manager, the same year his father passed away. After the business was divided among the children, Aminu became deputy managing director in 1958 and assumed full leadership in 1960 following the death of his brother Ahmadu.
Under his leadership, the Dantata business empire expanded into construction, petroleum, real estate, agriculture, and banking. He founded Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd and was a key figure in the establishment of Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first Islamic bank. He also served as a pioneer board member of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank in 1964.
In politics, Dantata was elected to the Northern House of Assembly in 1959 and served until 1966. He was appointed Kano State Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, and Industry from 1968 to 1973 under Governor Audu Bako. He was also a founding member of the National Movement, which evolved into the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1978.
Dantata was deeply committed to philanthropy. He was a founding promoter of the Kano State Foundation, which provided scholarships and grants to small-scale entrepreneurs. He also supported Islamic education and was the first chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Katsina.
He was married to Rabi Dantata (who passed away in 2023) and had numerous children. He was a devout Muslim and a respected elder in the Hausa-Fulani community. He was also the granduncle of Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man.
Aminu Dantata passed away on June 28, 2025, at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. His legacy endures through his contributions to commerce, public service, and philanthropy in Nigeria and beyond.
Aminu Alhassan Dantata Age
Aminu Alhassan Dantata was born on May 19, 1931, and passed away on June 28, 2025, at the age of 94.
He celebrated his 94th birthday just over a month before his death. His long life spanned colonial Nigeria, independence, and the modern era, during which he became one of the country’s most influential businessmen and philanthropists.
Aminu Alhassan Dantata Education
Aminu Alhassan Dantata received his early education in Kano, Nigeria, beginning at Dala Primary School, where he studied from 1938 to 1945. This foundational education was followed by home-based studies in a private school built by his father, Alhassan Dantata, one of West Africa’s wealthiest merchants at the time.
His education was tailored to prepare him for leadership in the family’s expansive business empire. The curriculum combined basic literacy and numeracy with Islamic education, business arithmetic, and trading principles, reflecting the Dantata family’s commercial and religious values.
By 1948, at the age of 17, Aminu had completed his studies and joined Alhassan Dantata & Sons as a produce buyer, marking the beginning of his lifelong career in commerce and public service.
Aminu Alhassan Dantata Net Worth
As of 2025, Aminu Alhassan Dantata’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1 billion, though some sources suggest it could be as high as $6.3 billion.
His wealth was built over decades through a diversified portfolio of business ventures spanning:
Oil and Gas: Founder of Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd, a major player in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
Banking: One of the original promoters of Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first Islamic bank.
Real Estate: Owned extensive property holdings across Northern Nigeria, including commercial and residential developments.
Agriculture and Manufacturing: Continued the family legacy in groundnut and commodity trading, and expanded into agro-processing and industrial ventures.
Construction and Infrastructure: Through Dantata Organization Ltd, he invested in roads, housing, and public works across Nigeria.
He also owned luxury residences, including a lavish estate in Kano, and maintained a fleet of high-end vehicles. Despite his immense wealth, Dantata was known for his modest lifestyle and generous philanthropy, supporting education, healthcare, and Islamic causes throughout his life.
Aminu Alhassan Dantata Wife
Aminu Alhassan Dantata was married to Hajiya Rabi Aminu Dantata, affectionately known as Mama Rabi. She was his second wife and a deeply respected matriarch within the Dantata family.
Mama Rabi passed away on April 8, 2023, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after a prolonged illness. Her death was confirmed by her grandson, Sunusi Dantata, who shared the news publicly and requested prayers for her soul. She was in her late 70s at the time of her passing.
She was the mother of several of Aminu Dantata’s children, including:
Tajuddeen Dantata
Batulu Dantata
Hafsa Dantata
Jamila Dantata
Aliya Dantata
Mama Rabi was known for her quiet strength, devotion to family, and charitable spirit. Her death was widely mourned in Kano and across Nigeria, especially among those who had benefited from the Dantata family’s philanthropic legacy.
Aminu Alhassan Dantata Children
Aminu Alhassan Dantata was the father of seven children, and he is survived by many grandchildren. His children come from his marriage to Hajiya Rabi Dantata, among others.
Some of his known children include:
Tajuddeen Aminu Dantata – A prominent businessman in his own right, Tajuddeen has been involved in managing parts of the Dantata business empire and is often cited as one of Aminu Dantata’s most visible heirs.
Batulu Dantata
Hafsa Dantata
Jamila Dantata
Aliya Dantata
These five children were specifically mentioned as being from his marriage to Hajiya Rabi Dantata. The names of his other two children have not been publicly disclosed in available sources, but it is confirmed that he had seven children in total.
Aminu Dantata’s children have largely maintained a low public profile, though they are known to be involved in business, philanthropy, and community development, continuing the legacy of their father and grandfather, Alhassan Dantata.
Aminu Alhassan Dantata Social Media Followers
Aminu Alhassan Dantata did not maintain any personal or official social media accounts during his lifetime. Known for his humility and private nature, he preferred to operate behind the scenes, focusing on business, philanthropy, and community service rather than public visibility.
Despite his absence from platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, his legacy and influence were widely acknowledged online. News of his death on June 28, 2025, at the age of 94, triggered an outpouring of tributes across social media, with family members, business leaders, and public figures sharing condolences and memories.
His grandchildren, including Sanusi Dantata, posted tributes on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), reflecting the family’s generational presence online, even though Aminu Dantata himself remained offline.
Aminu Alhassan Dantata Achievements
Aminu Alhassan Dantata’s achievements spanned over seven decades and left a profound mark on Nigeria’s economic, political, and philanthropic landscape. Here is a detailed account of his accomplishments:
Business Leadership and Expansion
Took over the family business, Alhassan Dantata & Sons, in 1960 after the death of his brother Ahmadu. Under his leadership, the company expanded into construction, real estate, agriculture, petroleum, and manufacturing.
Founded Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd, a major player in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
Played a key role in the establishment of Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first Islamic bank, promoting ethical banking practices in line with Islamic finance principles.
Headed a group of companies managing diverse investments across Nigeria, especially in Kano and Northern Nigeria.
Public Service and Politics
Elected to the Northern House of Assembly in 1959, representing Kura constituency until 1966.
Appointed Kano State Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, and Industry from 1968 to 1973 under Governor Audu Bako.
Served as a pioneer board member of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) in 1964, now known as the Bank of Industry.
Founding member of the National Movement, which evolved into the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1978.
Philanthropy and Education
Co-founded the Kano State Foundation, an endowment fund that supported educational initiatives and small-scale entrepreneurs.
Donated the Alhassan Dantata Haemodialysis Centre to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, significantly improving access to kidney care in Northern Nigeria.
Served as the first chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, supporting Islamic and secular education.
Funded the construction and operation of schools, mosques, health centers, orphanages, and other social welfare programs across Northern Nigeria.
Legacy and Recognition
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s most respected private sector figures, praised for his visionary enterprise, humility, and integrity.
Remembered as a pillar of Northern Nigeria’s economic development, a silent nation-builder, and a mentor to generations of leaders, including his grandnephew, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man.
Aminu Dantata’s life was a rare blend of commercial success, public service, and quiet generosity. His legacy continues through the institutions he built and the lives he touched.
