Prominent Kano businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, is dead.
Dantata, regarded as one of Northern Nigeria’s most respected industrialists, passed away at the age of 94.
His death was confirmed on Saturday by his Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, in a post on Facebook.
“It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and forgive his shortcomings. The Janazah details will be shared later, Insha Allah,” Junaid wrote.
Dantata, founder of Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd, was a key figure in Nigeria’s private sector and a major contributor to the country’s economic development. He was also the brother of Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s grandfather.
Born on May 19, 1931, Dantata was a scion of the famous Dantata family, the son of the late Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, once regarded as one of West Africa’s wealthiest merchants.
Over the decades, Aminu Dantata expanded the family’s business empire across sectors such as construction, banking, agriculture, manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry. His influence also extended to real estate, finance, and Islamic scholarship.
Beyond his business achievements, Dantata served in the Kano State Government and contributed to national development as a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee for Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution.
He was highly respected for his humility, religious commitment, and contributions to community development. Through his foundation and personal efforts, he built schools, mosques, health centres, orphanages, and other social projects across the North.
His passing was also acknowledged by Uba Tanko, Deputy National Treasurer of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), who praised Dantata’s enduring legacy in a tribute on social media.
While there were conflicting reports about his place of death, multiple sources confirmed that he died in a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Friday.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course.
