Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, funds 250-bed university hostel in Nigeria

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is stepping in to fund the construction of a 250-bed ultramodern hostel at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State.

The project, valued at N1.1 billion ($732,642), was originally launched by the Ilorin Central Jumma’at Mosque as a way to ease student housing shortages and provide a sustainable income stream for mosque upkeep. 

A philanthropic gift tied to education and faith

By taking over its financing, Dangote has relieved the mosque of the burden and ensured the project’s completion.

Shehu AbdulGafar, secretary of the mosque’s Board of Trustees, said a memorandum of understanding had already been signed with the university, granting the mosque ownership and management rights for 21 years. After that period, the hostel will revert to the institution.

“This project ensures students have access to decent housing while securing sustainable funding for mosque maintenance,” AbdulGafar said. He described Dangote’s intervention as a “transformative gesture” for both education and religious infrastructure in the city.

Beyond the construction, Dangote has pledged a monthly donation of N5 million ($3,330) to support the mosque’s day-to-day operations until the hostel is completed. He began this commitment last month, showing what AbdulGafar called “his consistency in following through on promises.”

Student housing, mosque sustainability

The 250-bed hostel is expected to help address the growing demand for affordable on-campus accommodation at the university, where student numbers have outpaced available housing. Once in use, the rental income will go directly toward the maintenance of the Ilorin Central Mosque, one of the city’s most prominent religious centers.

A legacy of philanthropy

Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group and founder of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, has long been recognized for his philanthropy in Nigeria and across Africa. Since establishing the foundation in 1981 Dangote has invested heavily in education, healthcare and poverty alleviation.

With a net worth of $28.8 billion, Dangote ranks as the world’s richest Black person and 77th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His support for the University of Ilorin project adds to a record of high-profile contributions aimed at improving lives, strengthening institutions and meeting pressing community needs in Nigeria.