Business mogul and elder statesman Aminu Dantata has been laid to rest in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, days after his death in Abu Dhabi, fulfilling his longstanding wish to be buried in the holy city.

Dantata, 94, died on Friday, June 28, in the United Arab Emirates and was buried on Tuesday evening at the Jannatul Baqi Cemetery in Madinah, where several prominent Islamic figures are also buried.

His body, accompanied by family members including his son Tajudeen Dantata and nephew Aliko Dangote, arrived in Madinah on Tuesday morning.

In a video shared on social media, Sanusi Dantata confirmed the arrival of the body and announced burial arrangements.

“The body has arrived in Madinah this morning and the Janazah prayer will be held at the Holy Prophet’s mosque after the Asr prayer (around 1.30 pm Nigeria time),” he said.

The Janazah prayer was led after Maghrib prayers and attended by dignitaries from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

The Nigerian government delegation was led by the minister of defence, Muhammad Abubakar.

It also included attorney-general Lateef Fagbemi, minister of information Mohammed Idris, minister of state for housing and urban development Yusuf Tijjani and officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II were also present in Madinah.

A notable moment during the burial was the leading of the Janazah prayer by the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero. A spokesman for Bayero said Dantata had specifically wished that the former emir lead his funeral prayers.

“Dantata saw His Highness as a son … that’s why he left the message that whenever he passed away, Aminu Ado Bayero should lead his funeral prayer,” the spokesperson said.

Back in Nigeria, a Salatul Ga’ib (funeral prayer in absentia) was held at Umar Bin Khattab Mosque in Kano, led by Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin was among dignitaries in attendance.

Dantata’s wish to be buried in Madinah had initially been delayed due to regulatory procedures by Saudi authorities. Nigeria’s minister of information Mohammed Idris explained that the delay was caused by the late arrival of the body and the need for final clearance before burial could take place.

“There are regulations set by the Saudi government on how to bring a body for burial in the country, so now the paperwork is being filled out between the Saudi government and the family of the deceased,” he told BBC Hausa.

Born in 1931, Dantata was the last surviving son of the legendary merchant Alhassan Dantata. He expanded the family business empire into various sectors including petroleum, banking, agriculture and construction. He was also known for his philanthropy and support for Islamic education.

He is survived by three wives, 21 children and over 100 grandchildren.