Dangote Pays Farewell to Aminu Dantata, His Uncle, Benefactor and Mentor

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man, escorted the body of his beloved great uncle, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, from Abu Dhabi to Madina, Saudi Arabia, fulfilling the final wish of the revered businessman and philanthropist.

At 94, Alhaji Aminu Dantata who was not only a family patriarch but also a guiding light in the business world had expressed his desire to be buried in the holy city of Madina. His wish was honored with the solemn transport of his remains, a task that carried both heavy emotion and deep reverence.

Dangote, clearly moved by the moment, took on the responsibility of overseeing the journey, ensuring his great-uncle’s final journey was as dignified as his life had been

The remains arrived in Madina on the morning of July 2, 2025, and the tranquility of the city seemed to envelop the occasion, reflecting the weight of the moment.

Aliko Dangote, visibly emotional, stood quietly beside the body of the man who had not only shaped the destiny of the Dantata family but had also influenced the broader business landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

 Aminu Dantata has a legacy

For Dangote, the loss of Aminu Dantata was the end of an era. Aminu Dantata was a mentor, a business trailblazer, and a philanthropist whose wisdom and commercial acumen helped lay the foundation for Dangote’s own empire.

His death left a void that echoed through the Dantata family and the broader Nigerian business community.

Aminu Dantata’s final wish to be buried in Madina was a reflection of his deep spirituality, and his family respected that wish with unwavering devotion.

As Dangote watched the body of his great uncle being transported to the Prophet’s Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, there was a sense of fulfillment in knowing that Dantata’s legacy would live on, not only in the business world but in the hearts of those who knew him best.

Top dignitaries pays their respect

The importance of Aminu Dantata’s legacy was made abundantly clear by the gathering of prominent Nigerian dignitaries in Madina. Among them were former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who all made the journey to pay their final respects.