Aliko Dangote Named Among TIME100 Philanthropy List for 2025
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation and President/CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, has been recognized in the inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list for 2025. This prestigious list highlights the world’s most influential philanthropic leaders, and Dangote stands as the only Nigerian honored.
Global Recognition Among Philanthropic Titans
Published by TIME Magazine, the list features Dangote alongside renowned philanthropists such as Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda Gates, all categorized as “Titans.” Other notable figures include David Beckham, Dolly Parton, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The TIME100 Philanthropy list recognizes 100 influential individuals from 28 countries across four categories: Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers, and Innovators. Dangote was selected as one of the 23 Titans for his transformative impact.
Dangote’s Philanthropic Legacy
TIME highlighted Dangote’s remarkable journey, noting his $23.9 billion fortune built through ventures in cement, agriculture, and oil refining. However, his philanthropic contributions stand equally tall. In 2014, he endowed the Aliko Dangote Foundation with $1.25 billion, dedicating it to uplifting Africa.
“Investing in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment is our contribution to setting Africans up for success,” said Dangote.
Key Initiatives Driving Impact
The foundation allocates an average of $35 million annually to initiatives across Africa, including:
- A $100 million multi-year program to combat severe childhood malnutrition.
- A vaccine initiative that contributed to the eradication of polio in Africa, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- A $10 million donation to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano State.
Transforming Education in Nigeria
Dangote’s investments in education include:
- The largest individual donation to a Nigerian university—N1.2 billion for Ahmadu Bello University in 2019.
- The Mu Shuka Iri (Let’s Plant a Seed) program, training women as community educators in Kano.
- Scholarships, vocational training, and fellowships through the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders program.
A Legacy of Giving Back
Dangote credits his mother for instilling the ethos of philanthropy, a tradition he hopes his daughters will continue. He aspires to be remembered not just as Africa’s richest person but also its biggest philanthropist.
For more details, read the original article on Dateline Nigeria.