*** Says ADF spends over #50 billion yearly on Giving Back to Africa
Aliko Dangote, the Chairman Aliko Dangote Foundation and President/ Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, has been named in the Inaugural Time “ONE HUNDRED” list, which recognises the One Hundred Most Influential leaders shaping the future of philanthropy across the world. Dangote is the only Nigerian on this distinguish list.
The prestigious list, published by Time Magazine on Tuesday, features Aliko Dangote, whose foundation spends an average of $35 million a year on Programmes across Africa, alongside other global figures in Charitable work, such as Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet, and Melinda Gates, all of whom are recognises as Titans.
Other Prominent on the list include David Beckham, Dolly Parton; Lisa Yang; Michael Dell and Susan Dell; Tsitsi and Strive Masiyiwa; Jack Ma, Alex Soro, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales among others.
A total of One Hundred Influential Individuals from 28 Countries have been honoured for their philanthropic efforts in four categories: Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers and Innovators, with Dangote emerging as one of the 23 Titans.
Time highlighted Dangote remarkable rise to wealth, having built a fortune of $23.9 billion through ventures in in cement, agriculture, and oil refining in Nigeria. However his philanthropic efforts are equally noteworthy in 2014, he endowed the Aliko Dangote Foundation with $1.25 billion with the aim of giving back to the continent that played such a key role in his success. The Foundation spends on average of $35 million each year of various initiatives across Nigeria and Africa.
“Investing in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment is our contribution to setting Africa’s up for success” – Dangote remarked, reflecting the foundation’s core priorities Among the foundation’s ongoing efforts is a One hundred million dollars multi – year initiative to combat severe childhood malnutrition.
Furthermore, an earlier vaccine programme in Nigeria, developed in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, contributed to the World Health Organisation’s 2020 declaration that had been eradicated from Africa, Nigeria being the most populous country to eradicate the disease.
Education is another area where Dangote is making a significant impact . He recently announced a $10 million to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, based in Kano State. The conglomerate has provided a wealth of Infrastructural support to the country’s tertiary institutions.
In 2019, the Federal Government revealed that the #1. 2 billion hostel donated by Aliko Dangote Foundation to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was the largest donation ever made by an individual to a University in Nigeria’s history at that time.
As a Global Business Coalition for Education, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has also focused on early childhood education. Through the Mu Shuka ( Let’s Plant a Seed) programme, local women – affectionately Known as “Aunties” are trained in Montessori – Style education to become community educators in Kano.
The Foundation’s Investments in education include providing vocational training and providing scholarships at the secondary and tertiary levels, in addition to offering annual fellowships through the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders programme “We need to create next generation of leaders, Dangote says, underscoring his commitment to long – term societal change.
“My mother instilled in me the ethos of giving back, which inspired my philanthropy 30 years ago. I trust my three daughters will continue this legacy, just as they will continue to grow our business and impact. I want to be known not just As Africa’s richest person but also as its biggest philanthropist.
