Respected Nigerian industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, has been laid to rest in the sacred city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, days after his passing in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The burial took place at the historic Al-Baqi Cemetery on Tuesday, marking the final journey of a man who left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s business landscape and humanitarian sectors.
The late business magnate, who passed away on Saturday, was accorded a solemn and dignified farewell in accordance with Islamic rites. The Jana’iza (funeral) prayers were conducted after the Maghrib prayer at the revered Prophet’s Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam. His burial in the Al-Baqi Cemetery, where many companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are interred, is considered a great honor within the Islamic faith.
According to an official statement from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dantata’s remains were flown into Madinah on Tuesday morning, accompanied by close family members including his son, Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata, and his nephew, Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Their presence signified the importance of the deceased not only within the family but also as a figure of national and international recognition.
Representing the Federal Government of Nigeria was a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Defence and former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar. Other prominent government officials in attendance included Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata; and Director of Internal Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mr. Hassan Abdullahi, who attended on behalf of the NSA.
The burial ceremony was further graced by a number of notable Islamic clerics and scholars. Among them were Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, a renowned Islamic preacher; Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa; and Khalifa Abdullahi Muhammad, who serves as the Imam of the Dantata Mosque in Abuja. Their presence reflected the high regard in which Alhaji Dantata was held within Nigeria’s religious community.
Also present were diplomatic officials from the Nigerian Consulate General in Jeddah, led by Ambassador Ibrahim Moddibbo, along with Ambassador Muazzam Ibrahim Nayaya and Defence Attaché, Major General Adamu Hassan, who played key roles in facilitating the funeral arrangements abroad.
From the Nigerian political class, distinguished attendees included the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State; and Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State. These dignitaries paid their last respects and offered condolences to the family.
Leading the family in mourning and reflection was Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who alongside other relatives and business associates, gave moving tributes in honor of the late patriarch. Dangote described him as a father figure and a mentor whose influence helped shape the business world and provided countless opportunities for younger generations.
The burial also brought together traditional rulers and monarchs, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, and his predecessor, the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, who both paid their final respects in a rare joint appearance. Their presence underscored the unifying influence of Alhaji Dantata, a man known for his quiet diplomacy, philanthropy, and deep-rooted legacy.
Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s passing marks the end of an era, but his contributions to commerce, community development, and philanthropy will remain etched in Nigeria’s history. His burial in the Holy Land is seen by many as a fitting tribute to a life lived in service to humanity, business excellence, and unwavering faith.