Students Applaud Dangote Foundation’s Free Share Initiative, Embrace IPO Opportunity

By Emmanuel Kwada

University students across Nigeria have welcomed the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Student Share Grant Initiative, describing it as an opportunity to gain practical investment experience while participating in the country’s capital market.

The initiative is linked to the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP) and is designed to promote financial literacy, ownership and long-term wealth creation among young Nigerians.

As part of its awareness campaign, the Foundation recently engaged campus journalists from tertiary institutions across the country in an online session focused on the IPO, responsible investing, financial education and opportunities available in Nigeria’s capital market.

Under the initiative, eligible students aged 18 and above in recognised public and private tertiary institutions can subscribe for a minimum of 10 DPRP shares through the designated platform. For every qualifying subscription, the Foundation provides an additional 10 shares at no extra cost.

The programme has generated interest among students, with beneficiaries and participants describing it as an avenue to understand investment beyond classroom theory.

Amaechi Rosemary, a student of the University of Ibadan, said the initiative had made share ownership more accessible to students.

“Many students hear about shares and investments but never imagine they can become shareholders while still in school. This initiative removes that barrier and gives us an opportunity to learn about wealth creation through practical participation.”

Another University of Ibadan student, Emmanuel Ndah, described the initiative as both educational and empowering.

“Beyond the additional shares, the programme teaches us important lessons about investing and financial responsibility. It is encouraging to see young people being included in Nigeria’s economic growth story,” he said.

Moshood Muheeb of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said the initiative sends a message that young Nigerians can begin developing responsible investment habits early.

Similarly, Esther Olatunji of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said the programme could encourage students to take financial planning and asset ownership more seriously.

“This is more than a share offer. It is an opportunity to learn about ownership, financial discipline and long-term wealth creation,” she said.

The Foundation said the initiative is intended to expose students to the investment process, including verification, subscription and share ownership, while encouraging responsible participation in the capital market.

Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, said youth empowerment should extend beyond conventional educational support to include opportunities for economic participation.

According to him, helping young people understand saving, investment and ownership can contribute to better financial decision-making and broader participation in the formal economy.

The Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Zouera Youssoufou, said the initiative combines financial education with practical experience.

She added that the Foundation hopes the programme will encourage a lifelong interest in investing, financial literacy and asset ownership among young Nigerians.

The Student Share Grant Initiative forms part of the Foundation’s broader youth empowerment and economic inclusion efforts, with an emphasis on saving, responsible investing, entrepreneurship and long-term wealth creation.