Prominent Kano businessman and philanthropist, Aminu Dantata, has died at the age of 94.

His death was announced on Saturday by his Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi-Junaid.

“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. It is with a 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. Details of the Janazah will be shared later, in sha Allah,” Junaid said in a statement.

The late Dantata, a scion of the influential Dantata family, was widely respected for his significant contributions to commerce, Islamic scholarship, education and humanitarian causes.

He played a pivotal role in expanding the family’s business empire, inherited from his father, Alhassan Dantata, one of West Africa’s wealthiest merchants in the early 20th century.

Over the decades, Mr Dantata diversified the family’s interests into construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and oil and gas sectors.

He also held several public and private sector leadership roles, mentoring generations of entrepreneurs and civic leaders.

Beyond business, he was revered for his modesty, religious devotion and commitment to community development across Northern Nigeria.

Through his charitable foundation and personal philanthropy, Mr Dantata supported the construction and operation of schools, mosques, health centres, orphanages and social welfare programmes.

Born on May 19, 1931, the late Dantata was known for his business ventures in real estate, petroleum, and finance.

The late Dantata once served in the Kano State Government and was a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee responsible for preparing Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution.

According to reports, he died on Friday and there were different accounts of the location.

Some sources indicated that he died in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, specifically at a hospital, while others mentioned Abuja.

However, most sources confirmed Abu Dhabi as where he died.  

The family said further details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

(NAN)