- He insisted that no young person should have their aspirations cut short
- He noted that the scholarship scheme is designed to provide equal access for deserving students
- every child with the ability to learn is given the chance to do so
President of the Dangote Group and Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, has said that the newly launched ₦1 trillion national scholarship scheme is a deliberate move to break the cycle of poverty by keeping young Nigerians in school.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Dangote, while unveiling the initiative, explained that the decade-long programme will prioritise learners from low-income backgrounds, noting that the inability to pay fees remains the biggest barrier standing between talented students and their dreams.
EDITOR’S PICK
- ‘Tax ID Will Be Mandatory for Bank Accounts from January’ – FG
- Reps Deny Bill to Rename Nigeria as ‘United States of Nigeria’
- Police Shut Down Illegal Drug Factory in Lagos
According to him, the Foundation is shifting significant attention to education because the current economic realities have pushed many students out of the classroom. He insisted that no young person should have their aspirations cut short simply because their families cannot afford the cost of schooling.
“This is more than charity. It is an investment in people,” Dangote said. “Every student we support becomes a potential contributor to national growth. Our young people are not asking for handouts; they are asking for opportunities. And we believe they deserve that chance.”
He described education as the most reliable path to social mobility, warning that the hopes of thousands of brilliant learners are fading due to financial pressure. Dangote stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to lose such potential, especially at a time when the nation requires skilled minds to move the economy forward.
He noted that the scholarship scheme is designed to provide equal access for deserving students, using a fully digital and merit-driven process for screening and payment. He emphasised that the initiative is only a starting point and called for deeper collaboration among government, the private sector and communities to effectively address the country’s education challenges.
Dangote also reaffirmed his long-term commitment to the scheme, disclosing that he has dedicated 25 per cent of his wealth to sustain the Foundation’s humanitarian projects, including the new education support programme.
Addressing young Nigerians directly, he assured them that the Foundation is investing in their future. “Your education matters. Your dreams matter. And you will not walk this journey alone,” he said.
He added that the programme aims to ensure that every child with the ability to learn is given the chance to do so, unburdened by cost and empowered to reach their full potential.
FURTHER READING
