The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has entered into a landmark partnership with Bayero University Kano (BUK), approving a ₦1.5 billion scholarship package to support postgraduate students at the university’s Dangote Business School.

The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Kano, sets aside ₦300 million annually over a five-year period. The funding will provide tuition support for eligible students enrolled in MBA, Entrepreneurship, and Management postgraduate programmes.

What the Scholarship Covers

Beginning from the 2024/2025 academic session, each qualified student will receive ₦150,000 per session. This amount represents half of the current ₦300,000 tuition fee charged by the Business School.

At present, the Dangote Business School has a total enrolment of 1,225 postgraduate students comprising 696 newly admitted students and 529 returning students. The annual ₦300 million allocation is structured to accommodate all eligible students based on the current admission capacity.

Newly admitted students will benefit from an automatic tuition reduction at the point of registration. Those who have already completed full payment will receive refunds equivalent to the scholarship value.

Any unused funds within the first year will remain dedicated to the Business School’s development, particularly toward enhancing digital learning systems and strengthening academic facilities.

Signing of the Agreement

The MoU was signed at the Dangote Business School auditorium by Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote, a member of the ADF Board of Trustees, and Professor Haruna Musa, Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to human capital development, emphasising that strengthening business education is essential for building enterprise capacity and driving economic growth.

According to the Foundation’s leadership, investing in postgraduate business education helps translate academic knowledge into innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities.

University Applauds Initiative

Professor Haruna Musa welcomed the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful, particularly in easing financial pressure on families. He noted that the Business School plays a vital role in grooming entrepreneurial and managerial talent, including an increasing number of women stepping into leadership roles.

The Vice Chancellor added that the scholarship would further enhance the institution’s capacity to produce business professionals equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Students React

On behalf of the beneficiaries, postgraduate student Khalid Bababubu expressed appreciation to the Foundation. He described the scholarship as a significant boost that would allow students to focus more fully on their academic and professional development.

He acknowledged education as a cornerstone of national progress and pledged that beneficiaries would make responsible use of the opportunity.

From Infrastructure to Human Investment

The initiative, officially titled the MHF Dangote Graduate Business Scholarship, marks a strategic evolution in the Foundation’s long-standing relationship with the Business School.

Since commissioning the Dangote Business School complex in 2018, the Foundation has supported the maintenance of its physical infrastructure. The new scholarship programme signals a deliberate transition from investment in buildings to investment in people prioritising leadership development, entrepreneurship, and enterprise growth.

This intervention is separate from the Foundation’s recently announced nationwide STEM education initiatives, which focus on science and technology education at secondary and undergraduate levels. In contrast, the Dangote Business School scholarship is a postgraduate-focused programme designed specifically to strengthen business and management capacity.

About the Institutions

The Aliko Dangote Foundation is dedicated to advancing social impact through initiatives that improve health outcomes, expand educational access, and create empowerment opportunities.

Bayero University Kano remains one of Nigeria’s leading public universities, recognised for academic excellence and research. Its Dangote Business School serves as a hub for advanced training in business administration, entrepreneurship, and management studies.