President Tinubu To Visit Kano To Honour Late Business Icon Alhaji Aminu Dantata.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to visit Kano State on Friday, 18 July 2025, to offer condolences to the family of the late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, a revered elder statesman, business mogul, and philanthropist who passed away on 28 June 2025 at the age of 94. The visit, announced by Kano State Governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, will also see the President express sympathies to the state government and residents, reflecting national unity and respect for Dantata’s enduring legacy.
Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who was laid to rest in Medina, Saudi Arabia, on 1 July 2025, was a towering figure in Nigeria’s economic and social landscape. Renowned for expanding his family’s commercial empire, he served as Commissioner for Planning and Development in the old Kano State and made significant contributions through philanthropy, particularly in education and healthcare. President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, described Dantata’s death as a “monumental national loss,” praising his diligence, patriotism, and generosity that touched countless lives across Nigeria and beyond.
The President’s visit follows a condolence mission led by Vice President Kashim Shettima on 3 July 2025, where he represented Tinubu, who was abroad at the time of Dantata’s passing. Shettima, accompanied by dignitaries including Deputy Chief of Staff Senator Ibrahim Hadejia and former Kogi State Governor Captain Idris Wada, conveyed Tinubu’s heartfelt tributes, urging Nigerians to emulate Dantata’s philanthropy. Speaking on behalf of the family, Alhaji Munzali Dantata expressed gratitude for the show of support, noting that his brother’s wish to be buried in Saudi Arabia was honoured by the Saudi government.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has called on Kano residents to welcome President Tinubu warmly, in keeping with the state’s tradition of hospitality. The visit underscores Dantata’s profound impact, with tributes from figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Northern States Governors’ Forum Chairman Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who hailed him as a trailblazer whose enterprises created jobs and transformed communities. Social media posts on X reflect public appreciation, with many describing the visit as a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy continues to inspire.
Security and logistical arrangements have been put in place to ensure a dignified visit. The event is seen as a moment of solemn reflection, celebrating Dantata’s life of service and his role as a mentor to business leaders, including his nephew, Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote. As Nigeria mourns one of its most illustrious sons, President Tinubu’s visit aims to honour a legacy that will resonate for generations.
