Renowned Nigerian industrialist and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, has passed away at the age of 94. He died peacefully on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, after a brief illness.
According to close family sources, final funeral rites and burial will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, in the holy city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, in accordance with Islamic traditions. The decision to lay him to rest in one of Islam’s most revered locations reflects his deep religious commitment and the esteem in which he was held by the global Muslim community.
Alhaji Aminu Dantata was one of the last surviving pillars of Nigeria’s post-independence economic development and a leading figure in the Dantata dynasty. Over the decades, he built a legacy rooted in business, philanthropy, and public service. As a founding investor in various sectors—from construction and manufacturing to agriculture and finance—his name became synonymous with enterprise and dignity, especially in Northern Nigeria.
Until his passing, he remained a respected voice on national matters and was widely regarded as a mentor to generations of political and business leaders. His calm disposition, wisdom, and dedication to community upliftment earned him recognition not just within Nigeria, but also across the broader Islamic world.
Messages of condolence have poured in from dignitaries across the country and the diaspora. Many describe his death as the end of an era and a major loss to the nation.
The heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, the Kano Emirate, and all Nigerians mourning this monumental loss. Funeral prayers in Madinah are expected to draw a global mix of mourners, including religious leaders, diplomats, and business associates paying their final respects to a man whose influence transcended borders.