Nigerian business magnate and revered philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, was laid to rest in the holy city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, fulfilling his long-held wish to be interred in one of Islam's most sacred sites. The somber occasion drew prominent figures from Nigeria's political and business landscapes, including Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, who is Dantata's great-nephew and a protégé, and fellow billionaire Femi Otedola.

Alhaji Dantata, who passed away on Saturday, June 28, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at the age of 93 or 94, was the patriarch of the influential Dantata business dynasty. His body arrived in Madinah on Tuesday morning, having been personally escorted by Aliko Dangote from Abu Dhabi. A video shared by the deceased's son, Sanusi Dantata, on X (formerly Twitter), showed Dangote and Otedola solemnly seated side by side, awaiting the funeral proceedings. Sanusi confirmed the arrival and the scheduled Janazah prayer.

The burial had initially been scheduled for Monday but was delayed due to documentation issues between the family and the Nigerian embassy in Saudi Arabia. Nigeria's Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who was also present in Saudi Arabia, confirmed that all necessary arrangements were eventually concluded, allowing the funeral to proceed as planned on Tuesday afternoon. Sanusi Dantata had stated that had clearance not been granted by Saudi authorities, the family would have buried him in Kano, Nigeria; however, his wish for Madinah was ultimately honored.

The Janazah (funeral) prayer for Alhaji Aminu Dantata was held at the Holy Prophet's Mosque after the Asr prayer, around 1:30 PM Nigerian time. Following the prayers, his remains were interred at the historic Jannatul Baqi cemetery, a significant burial site for many prominent figures in Islamic history. Dignitaries who traveled to pay their final respects included a federal government delegation led by Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of State for Housing Development Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, and notable Islamic clerics like Bashir Aliyu Umar and Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa. Also in attendance were the rival Kano Emirs, Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero, alongside Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, symbolizing a unified gesture of respect.

Alhaji Aminu Dantata was widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s most influential industrialists and a key figure in expanding his family’s commercial empire. He was also the last surviving son of the legendary merchant Alhassan Dantata, who was once reputed to be the wealthiest man in West Africa in the 1950s. Beyond his remarkable business acumen, Dantata was a dedicated philanthropist, an Islamic scholar, and a crucial figure in community development across Nigeria. He served as a mentor to many, including Aliko Dangote, who has often credited his great-uncle for shaping his early business education.

Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu described him as "an exemplary statesman, devout Muslim, and a philanthropist whose legacy will live on." Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also praised his "unparalleled contribution to commerce and Islamic development in Nigeria." The Northern Governors’ Forum and other prominent Nigerians also mourned his passing. In Kano, where Dantata’s death was initially announced, a Salatul Ga’ib (funeral prayer in absentia) was held at the Umar Bin Khattab Mosque. Alhaji Aminu Dantata is survived by wives, 21 children, 121 grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, leaving behind a profound and lasting legacy.