Nigeria’s foremost business icon and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, was laid to rest on Tuesday at the revered Baqiyya Cemetery in Madina, Saudi Arabia, in a deeply moving ceremony attended by top Nigerian dignitaries, religious leaders, and members of the Nigerian community in the Kingdom.
A high-level delegation led by the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, and his Jigawa State counterpart, Governor Umar Namadi, joined thousands of mourners for the Janaza (funeral prayer) held at the Holy Mosque.
Also present were the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, and a host of federal ministers and former governors.
In a rare and highly symbolic gesture, Saudi authorities allowed Governor Yusuf, Governor Namadi, and Emir Sanusi to view the body and offer a final prayer before the Janaza. The gesture was described as a rare honour befitting a man of immense spiritual and social stature.
This is a deeply emotional moment for all of us,” Governor Yusuf told reporters after the burial. Alhaji Aminu Dantata was more than a businessman—he was a father figure, a philanthropist, and a guiding light for generations of Nigerians. We pray that Allah grants him the highest rank in Jannatul Firdaus.
Governor Umar Namadi, who spoke from the Prophet’s Mosque after the funeral prayer, added: On behalf of the government and people of Jigawa State, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family and the entire people of Kano. May Almighty Allah dwell his soul in the most peaceful part of Paradise.
The funeral was also attended by Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar, who led the Federal Government’s delegation. He was accompanied by the Ministers of Justice and Information, as well as the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the Minister of State for Housing.
Former governors, including Ahmad Muazu (Bauchi), Saminu Turaki and Ali Sa’ad Birnin Kudu (Jigawa), and Nigeria’s former APC Acting National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, also paid their respects, alongside the former Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.
In his sermon and prayer, Emir Sanusi remembered the late Dantata as “a beacon of generosity, faith, and vision whose impact extended well beyond business into the heart of society.
His life was a reflection of humility and service, Sanusi said. Today, we witness the respect and love he earned in his lifetime. His memory will live on, not only through his family but also through the institutions and people he touched.
Following the Janaza prayer, Dantata’s body was laid to rest in Baqiyya Cemetery, a resting place reserved for the pious and blessed. The burial drew an emotional response from mourners, many of whom described the moment as the end of an era in Nigeria commerce and public service.
Aminu Dantata, who passed away at the age of 94, was one of Nigeria’s most respected business figures. He was widely known for his role in shaping the country’s economic development and for his unmatched philanthropic contributions across education, healthcare, and community development.
As the dust settled on the revered Madina soil, prayers continued to pour in for the man whose legacy will long outlive him.
