Dangote commits ₦1.1bn to finance Ilorin Central Jumma’at Mosque hostel project at UNILORIN

Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, has made a landmark commitment to finance a groundbreaking 250-bed student hostel project at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

This initiative, valued at ₦1.1 billion, was initiated by the Ilorin Central Jumma’at Mosque to establish a sustainable income source for its maintenance.

During a press conference in Ilorin, Alhaji Shehu AbdulGafar, Secretary of the Mosque’s Board of Trustees, stated, “We are profoundly grateful for Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s generosity. His intervention will not only relieve the financial burdens associated with this project but also enhance the sustainability of our operations.”

The project is designed to generate rental income from students, which will be directed back to support the Mosque’s upkeep. AbdulGafar revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed with the University of Ilorin, granting them management rights to the facility for 21 years before ownership reverts to the institution.

In a further commitment to the Mosque, Dangote has pledged to provide a monthly donation of ₦5 million until the hostel is completed.

AbdulGafar remarked, “This contribution demonstrates his deep commitment to fostering education and supporting our religious institution. Work on the hostel will commence swiftly under his sponsorship, with a promise of full transparency from our Board.”

The hostel project aims to alleviate the chronic lack of accommodation for students on campus. The Mosque’s Board of Trustees highlighted this support as a historic milestone, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between faith-based organizations, the business community, and educational institutions.

Community leaders and Mosque stakeholders praised Dangote’s contributions, calling it an exemplary act of generosity that will significantly benefit both the Muslim community and the student body in Ilorin. They expressed optimism that this project will set a precedent for how faith-led initiatives can thrive through innovative investments and partnerships with the private sector.

Source: Daily Trust