Dangote foundation launches N100bn annual scholarship programme …VP urges national recommitment to education
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday inaugurated the Aliko Dangote Foundation Education Scholarship Initiative, calling on all stakeholders to rededicate efforts toward ensuring every Nigerian child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
The launch coincided with the unveiling by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Foundation, of a N100 billion annual education support programme.
The initiative, projected to cost N1 trillion over the next decade, aimed to expand access to quality learning and strengthen Nigeria’s educational sector nationwide.
Speaking at the event in Lagos, Vice President Shettima praised Dangote’s philanthropic commitment, emphasising the transformative power of education.
He urged corporate organisations and private sector actors to see themselves as partners in safeguarding the future of Nigeria’s education system.
“A youthful population is an asset only when educated. Without education, it becomes a threat to itself and the nation,” Shettima said, highlighting the urgent need to close historical gaps in educational access and opportunity.
He noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has rolled out wide-ranging reforms, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), expanded TETFUND interventions, and mainstreaming of digital learning and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to meet the demands of a modern economy.
The Vice President also noted the importance of addressing Nigeria’s low Human Capital Index, stressing that education must be treated as a “national survival strategy.”
Shettima hailed Dangote as a visionary, describing his philanthropy as structural, generational, and transformative.
“He is not only the largest private employer in Nigeria but also the most consequential private investor in education,” the Vice President added.
Alhaji Dangote, for his part, outlined the framework of the foundation’s scholarship programme, assuring that beneficiaries would be selected through a transparent and merit-based process.
The programme will be implemented in collaboration with NELFUND, NECO, WAEC, and other government agencies to ensure accountability and fairness.
Dangote revealed that 25 per
cent of his personal wealth has been dedicated to the foundation’s work, ensuring continuity beyond his lifetime.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as one of the most comprehensive human capital development programmes in Nigeria’s history, aligned with the federal government’s education reform agenda.
He highlighted that a quarter of the scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities, promoting inclusivity.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed commended the foundation for its focus on education, particularly Technical and Vocational Education and Training, emphasising the importance of investing in girls’ education for societal advancement.
Several dignitaries also attended the event. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised Dangote’s commitment to youth development and assured that state governments would support the programme.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, lauded Dangote for his efforts to improve Nigerians’ lives, while Emir of Lafia and Steering Committee Chairman, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), pledged the committee’s dedication to ensuring the initiative’s long-term impact.
The event culminated with the unveiling of the Vision 2030 N100 billion Logo of the Dangote Foundation, marking a milestone in the foundation’s quest to transform education and strengthen Nigeria’s human capital.
