Dantata’s net worth was estimated to be in the billions, reflecting his success as a prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist. He founded Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd and played a key role as one of the organisers of Jaiz Bank in Nigeria. Dantata passed away on 28 June 2025 at the age of 94.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

• Aminu Dantata hailed from the influential and successful Dantata family.
• He was involved in various sectors, including agriculture, real estate, and manufacturing.
• Dantata served as one of the promoters of the Kano State Foundation.
• He was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest businessmen.

Profile summary

Full name	Aminu Dantata
Gender	Male
Date of birth	19 May 1931
Date of death	28 June 2025
Age	94 years old (at the time of death)
Zodiac sign	Taurus
Place of birth	Kano State, Nigeria
Current residence	Kano State, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigeria
Ethnicity	African
Religion	Islam
Sexuality	Straight
Hair colour	Black
Eye colour	Dark brown
Siblings	17
Father	Alhassan Dantata
Marital status	Widowed
Wife	Rabi Ɗantata (Deceased)
Children	24
School	Dala Primary School
Profession	Businessman, philanthropist

What is Dantata’s net worth in 2026?

While his exact net worth is not publicly known, it is widely estimated to be in the billions of dollars. He accumulated his wealth through diverse business ventures, with interests spanning oil and gas, banking, and real estate.

He was also widely known across Nigeria for his philanthropic activities. In the year before his passing, he donated 1.5 billion naira ($972,000; £710,000) to victims of the devastating floods in north-eastern Borno State.

Aminu Dantata’s family and educational background

Aminu Alhassan Dantata, best known as Aminu Dantata, was born on 19 May 1931 to the prestigious Dantata dynasty in Kano State, Nigeria, which belonged to an Agalawa trading family.

His father, Alhassan Dantata, was a wealthy businessman. His grandfather was Abdullahi, and his great-grandfather was Baba Talatin, a successful businessman who brought the family from Katsina to Madobi. Dantata’s father died on 17 August 1955, and his father’s business shares were subsequently distributed to the children.

Aminu was the fifteenth child in a family of seventeen children. He was an uncle to Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man. He completed his basic education at Dala Primary School. He later continued his education through home studies in a private school established by his father in 1949.

Aminu Dantata’s career

Dantata was a Nigerian business mogul, philanthropist, and patriarch of the Dantata dynasty. He built a diversified empire spanning oil & gas, construction, and banking. Here is a breakdown of his career.

Business career

Upon completing his studies, he joined the family business, Alhassan Dantata & Sons, in 1948 and was a produce buyer. The company sold commodities such as groundnuts and kola nuts. In 1955, he became the Sokoto district manager of the business. In 1958, Dantata became the company’s deputy managing director alongside his brother Ahmadu as the managing director.

Dantata became the head of the business in 1960 after his brother Alhmadu died. He since expanded its business holdings and activities into various Nigerian political and economic sectors, including oil and gas, banking, and real estate.

He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (now Bank of Industry). He served as the director of the Bank between 1962 and 1966.

He is the founder of Express Petroleum and Gas Company Limited and one of the people who spearheaded Jaiz Bank in Nigeria. Aminu was one of the promoters of the Kano State Foundation, an endowment fund that supported educational initiatives and provided grants to small-scale entrepreneurs in Kano.

The renowned businessman told Daily Trust when he turned 89 years old that as far back as 1956, he had visited every major country in the world, including Australia, India, China, Brazil, Yugoslavia, Russia and all the Arab countries and Israel.

Political career

Aside from his entrepreneurship career, Dantata was also a former politician. He served as the representative of the Kura district in the Northern House of Assembly and was an executive member of the Kano Provincial Council.

In 1968, Dantata was appointed Kano State commissioner for Economic Development, Trade and Industry under the administration of Audu Bako. He held the position until 1973.

Philanthropy

Aminu Dantata was known for his philanthropic efforts. He had been involved in various charitable activities to uplift communities and support education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives.

Dantata donated funds and buildings to various institutions around Kano. For instance, he donated the Alhassan Dantata Haemodialysis Center to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

Who was Aminu Dantata’s wife?

The Nigerian entrepreneur was married to Hajiya Rabi Aminu Dantata, widely recognised as Mama Rabi. His wife passed away on 8 April 2023 in Jiddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after a prolonged illness. Her grandson, Sanusi Dantata, confirmed the news of her demise via his X (Twitter) account. He said.

Please pray for our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Haj. Rabi, wife of Alh. Aminu Dantata, who died yesterday after a protracted illness!

May Allah forgive her, accept her good deeds, and grant her the highest rank in Paradise, Ameen! Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilaihirrajiuun!

Hajia Rabi Dantata was one of the wives of Alhaji Aminu Dantata. She and her husband shared six children. They include Tajuddeen, Batulu, Hafsa, Jamila, and Aliya. The pair also had multiple grandchildren, including Sanusi Dantata, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained Nigerian engineer.

In December 2022, he received the vice-presidential candidate of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima, at his residence in Koki quarters in Kano. Aminu said he no longer enjoys life as he once did and hopes to leave this world with his faith intact. He said:

Honestly, as I am right now, I am just waiting for my time. I no longer enjoy life. I hope I depart this world in good faith.

The renowned businessperson also asked for forgiveness from those he had offended in the past, just as he said he had forgiven those who had offended him.

I hope I did not offend anyone in life. If I offended anyone, I hope they find it in their hearts to forgive me. If anybody has offended me, I have forgiven them.

He also once said that he had travelled across Nigeria, meeting people and having friends in almost all the federation states, but could hardly call out 10 still alive today. He said:

I have travelled to all the states in Nigeria, and I have done things with people across all states; many were friends, but sadly, of all the people I know, I can hardly call out 10 that are still alive.

Dantata died on 28 June 2025, at the age of 94. He was buried in Saudi Arabia, leaving behind his three wives, 21 children and 121 grandchildren.

FAQs

1. Who is Aminu Dantata? He is a Nigerian businessman, politician and philanthropist who runs the Dantata and Sons Organisation with interests in multiple sectors.
2. Where is Aminu Dantata from? He was born in Kano State, Nigeria.
3. Who is Aminu Dantata’s late wife? His late wife was Hajiya Rabi Aminu Dantata. She died on 8 April 2023.
4. Who is Dantata to Dangote? He is an uncle to Aliko Dangote.
5. How much is the net worth of Dantata? His net worth is alleged to be in billions.
6. Who is the richest person in Nigeria in 2026? Aliko Dangote is the richest person in Nigeria and Africa, with a net worth estimated at around $28.5 billion.
7. Was Dantata a billionaire? Yes, Aminu Dantata was widely regarded as a billionaire, although his exact net worth was never publicly disclosed.

Aminu Dantata’s net worth was alleged to be a billion dollars. His successful business ventures in various sectors, including oil and gas, banking, and real estate, contributed significantly to his wealth. He was the founder of Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd and one of the organisers of Jaiz Bank in Nigeria.

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Source: Legit.ng