Jane Salihu
The Federal Government has welcomed plans by the Aliko Dangote Foundation to provide four million Nigerian tertiary institution students with shares in Dangote Refinery, describing the initiative as a potential pathway to financial literacy, investment awareness and youth economic empowerment.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known in a press release issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, who said the initiative would expose young Nigerians to the workings of the capital market and encourage long-term financial planning.
Under the proposed initiative, eligible students aged 18 and above are expected to receive 10 Initial Public Offering (IPO) shares each, potentially extending the benefits to four million students without requiring them to make an initial financial contribution.
Alausa described the plan as an innovative approach to connecting education with practical financial knowledge, noting that exposure to investment opportunities could help students develop responsible financial habits and prepare for greater participation in the economy.
He said the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in advancing human capital development, enterprise and inclusive economic growth.
According to the minister, stronger collaboration between the education sector and private organisations remains essential to equipping students with relevant knowledge and skills for an evolving economy.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to partnerships that improve the quality, relevance, equity and efficiency of education while preparing learners for opportunities beyond the classroom.
However, Alausa clarified that the ministry’s commendation was based on the initiative’s educational and developmental potential and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any particular investment decision.
He also urged other corporate organisations to introduce similar programmes that promote youth development, financial awareness and entrepreneurship.
The proposed share initiative, if implemented as outlined, could provide millions of young Nigerians with an opportunity to learn about equity ownership and the capital market at an early stage of their economic lives.
Beyond the immediate prospect of share ownership, the programme highlights the potential for private-sector partnerships to complement formal education by introducing students to financial concepts that can influence their decisions long after graduation.
