A high-powered delegation from the Federal Government, headed by Defence Minister and former Jigawa Gov. Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has arrived in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Their mission: to oversee the reception and burial of the late Nigerian business titan and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who passed away last Saturday in Abu Dhabi at the age of 94 .
Joining Badaru in Madinah are key government figures: Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Housing Yusuf Abdullahi Ata. They were accompanied by respected Islamic clerics—Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, and Khalifa Abdullahi Muhammad, the imam of Abuja’s Dantata Mosque .
Upon arrival early Monday, the delegation paid a condolence visit to the Dantata family, including his wives, children, and grandchildren. Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ibrahim Moddibbo and Consul General Muazzam Ibrahim Nayaya facilitated local arrangements, ensuring that the funeral rites would proceed with dignity .
Originally scheduled for Monday, Dantata’s funeral was postponed due to documentation delays in transferring his remains from the UAE to Madinah—a process now completed, clearing the way for Tuesday’s Islamic burial .
Aminu Dantata, heir to the renowned early-20th-century merchant Alhassan Dantata, built a sprawling business empire spanning manufacturing, oil and gas, real estate, and agriculture. Beyond commerce, he was a public servant and philanthropist, serving in Kano’s government in the late 1960s and contributing generously to Islamic education, healthcare, and scholarships .
President Bola Tinubu, represented in Madinah by Defence Minister Badaru, described Dantata’s death as “a deeply felt loss,” offering prayers for his soul and support for his bereaved family .
As dignitaries and relatives prepare for the funeral, Nigeria observes the passing of a towering figure whose legacy of business acumen, humility, and national service has left an indelible mark on the nation.
