Within the past week, the name Aminu Dantata has been trending across all social media platforms as Nigerians and Africans alike contributed their two cents to a statement made by the African billionaire.
While hosting the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima, and his entourage in his mansion located in Koki quarters of Kano State, the revered billionaire made a statement that many considered as ‘deeper than it sounds.
Address vice presidential hopeful Kashim Shettima and his group, Dantata, said that he no longer enjoys life and is only waiting for when he will leave the face of the earth. The statement got Nigerians talking.
The 91-year-old elder statesman and highly influential figure, however, added that he believes he has done everything he needed to do and has travelled to every state in the federation. Recalling that many of those he grew up with are now dead.
“Sadly, of all the people I know, I hardly can call out 10 that are still alive. Among my entire family of brothers and sisters, I’m the only one still alive. And my friends whom we grew up together, I don’t think there are more than three of us. As I am right now, I am just waiting for my time. I no longer enjoy life anymore. I hope I depart this world in good faith,” he said.
Many critics agree that these are the words of a highly fulfilled individual who has managed his wealth in the best way humanly possible.
But who really is Aminu Dantata? What is his worth, and how did he make his billions? We have provided all the answers below; check them out!
Biography and Net Worth of Aminu Dantata?
Alhaji (Dr.) Aminu Alhassan Dantata, popularly referred to as Aminu Dantata, was born on 19 May 1931 to the prestigious Dantata dynasty in Kano State, Nigeria. He is a businessman and renowned philanthropist. His father, Alhassan Dantata, was a wealthy business mogul to whom Aminu was the fifteenth out of seventeen children.
Aminu Dantata is an uncle to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and his net worth is around $1 billion dollars according to a 2022 report. He is a successful businessman and politician who has contributed immensely to the fortunes of Nigeria, especially in the north.
He was appointed as a member of the board of directors of the Nigerian Industrial Development in 1964. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Commissioner for Economic Development in Kano State from 1968 to 1973 under the regime of former Governor Audu Bako.
How Aminu Dantata Got His Billions
Aminu Dantata started his business career early when he officially joined his father’s business in 1949. His father placed him in charge of procurements during his time at Alhassan Dantata and Sons, and he performed his tasks diligently, which made his father promote him to the post of director in one of the family’s companies in Sokoto in 1955.
As is the custom, the fortunes of Alhassan Dantata were shared among his children after his death, and Aminu received the company, which he was to manage with his brother Ahmadu Dantata. But after the death of his brother two years later, in 1960, Aminu Dantata became the head of the family business.
In addition to the family business, Alhaji Aminu Dantata opened additional companies, including a construction company that handled many high-profile projects, including the construction of the Zaria Aviation School.
He also acquired shares in many local companies in Nigeria during the Industrial Revolution era. Some of the companies in which he acquired large shares include; Mentholatum, SCOA, Funtua Cotton Seed Crushing Co, Main Line Transport, and Raleigh Industries. The shares from these companies have greatly appreciated and earned him millions of dollars in return.
Alhaji Dantata is also the founder and chairman of Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd.
