Business
Dangote donates N.3bn Business school to University of Ibadan …Vows to raise entrepreneurs for nation building
Leading businessman and Chairman of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has challenged the government to muster the will to provide critical infrastructure that will make the nation’s environment conducive to commerce and industry.
Dangote made this appeal while delivering the third Eminent Persons Business lecture and inauguration of the Aliko Dangote Complex, a N300 million naira ultra-modern building donated to the University of Ibadan, School of Business, at the Ajibode University extension, Ibadan.
He said his foundation will continue to prioritize education as a means of raising entrepreneurs that will change the face of the nation’s economy and lead to real growth and development.
He told his audience comprising of academia, students, royal fathers and businessmen that Nigeria has got the potential s to be among the most industrialized countries in the world and required only the right policies to propel the investors into taking the lead in industrialization efforts.
Delivering his paper titled “Industrialization – Backward Integration as a strategy for National Development: The Story of the Dangote Group”, Dangote whose lecture was delivered by Engr. Ahmed Mansur, the Group Executive Director of the Dangote Industries Limited, stated that for the nation to breakthrough industrially, the leadership and the people must have the political will, the courage and perseverance to succeed.
Dangote was of the opinion that backward integration is one of the fine policies of the government that has helped Nigeria’s economy and that he had led in this regard as a private sector operator, advising that the policy could be replicated in other sectors of the economy.
Highlighting the advantages of the backward integration, the business mogul stated that there would be increased control and efficiency as companies are better able to control quality and coordinate the delivery of raw materials or other supplies.
According to him, this level of control allows companies to increase their supply chain efficiency. Stock outs and over-stocking are better avoided, raw material supply is better managed, and delivery schedules can be better guaranteed.
He pointed out that going by his own experience as leading cement producer using backward integration, there will be cost control as costs can be better managed all along the production process.
Citing instances of countries that have used backward integration to climb the industrial ladder key sectors, Dangote said “Several countries have involved backward integration in some of their industries. Examples include Brazil, Ghana, Malaysia, Norway, and Russia. China and the United States of America probably have the most vertically integrated firms given their size and industrialization focus. This typically start with local content requirements for extractive industries and then includes consolidation across product value chains.
“Norway successfully managed the transition from a country with no direct capabilities in the oil and gas sector on the discovery of oil in the late 1960s to become a competitive producer of a variety of oil field services and equipment. Today, more than half of the capital inputs used in the sector are sourced locally, along with 80% of the sector’s operational and maintenance inputs..
“Similarly, oil and gas firms operating in Brazil were awarded more points when tendering for contracts if they demonstrated commitment to purchasing higher shares of goods and services from local Brazilian suppliers. Specific local content targets were set for onshore projects (70%) and offshore projects in shallow (51%) or deep (37%) water.”
For Nigeria, Dangote stated that using backward integration was not just full of bed of roses as Nigerian businesses face major challenges in developing backward integration.
These according to him include difficulties in obtaining adequate and reliable energy and power supply; lengthy, costly and politically sensitive processes of gaining access to land; poor-quality transportation infrastructure; the high cost of capital; long lead times before backward integration efforts yield rewards; sensitivity to external shocks and unforeseen costs;
“Inconsistency of policy implementation; lack of inter-sectoral policy coordination; inadequacy of knowledge and skills in the workforce; and lack of foreign exchange. Most of these challenges relate to the poor quality of the overall business enabling environment, rather than due to local content policies.”
Nevertheless, he argued that the policy had helped Nigeria in the cement sector pointing out that as at 2002 before the backward integration policy “local installed cement production capacity was about 3 million metric tons per annum (while actual production was under 2 million metric tons). Cement demand was approximately 9 million metric tonnes per annum and the supply gap was filled by cement imports. Imported cement accounted for over 70% of local cement consumption.
“Conservative estimates of the cement import bill as at 2002 placed it at between US$500 – US$600 million annually. More importantly, it essentially exported jobs to other countries and exposed the national economy to risk. Nigeria was one of the largest importers of cement in the world despite its huge limestone deposits. To build the nation’s capacity in the cement sector.”
However, with government introducing the policy in 2002. “It restricted cement imports into Nigeria while the issuance of cement import licenses were tied to investments in local cement production capacity with strict monitoring to ensure compliance. Sector specific incentives for the cement industry, in addition to other more general incentives e.g. tax holidays, capital allowance etc. were also an important part of the policy.”
According to him, “the impact of the policy was felt within the first decade of its implementation as Nigeria became self-sufficient in cement production. Installed cement production capacity that has now grown from 3 million metric tons in 2002 to 44 million metric tons as at December 2017. The country has successfully transitioned from being a net importer to self-sufficiency and then to a net exporter since 2017.”
In his remark earlier, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka thanked Alhaji Dangote for the building describing it as a legacy that would forever be cherished generation yet unborn and by the donation, Dangote has become the first largest individual donor to the university.
He explained that Dangote was to donate N250 million to the university but they prevailed on him to build the complex rather than giving money and that the decision has paid off for the university.
Governor Isiaka Ajimobi of Oyo state, who is the Guest of Honour on the occasion urged Nigerian youths to learn a big lesson from Dangote’s humble beginning but with hard work has become one of the greatest entrepreneur in Africa.
The Governor who was represented by the state Commissioner of Education, Prof. Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela, lamented that most youths of today do not cherish hard work but want to get rich quick which explained the increase in social vices in the country
“We need to shift the paradigm shift from the get rich quickly at all cost to hard work that leads to wealth”, he stated.
The Director of the University of Ibadan, School of Business, Prof. Nike Osofisan said the institution owed Alhaji Dangote a huge debt because the complex was more than a building.
She explained “the fully air conditioned complex has 9 lecture theatres, 10 lecturer offices, four Executive Director Offices, One Canteen, 250 KVA dedicated Transformer, and male and female conveniences”
L-R:
Oyo State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela, who represents the State governor, Pro-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Waklek Joshua Mutka,
Member of Board of Trustees, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Halima Aliko Dangote,
Eng Ahmed Mansur, Executive director, Stakeholder, Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Industries Limited, who represents the Chairman/Founder of Aliko Dangote Foundation,
MD/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, Director, Univeristy of Ibadan school of Business, Prof. Adenike Osofisan
at the unveiling ceremony of the N.3bn Aliko Dangote Business school, donated to the University of Ibadan Business school
L-R:
Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Olayinka,
Oyo State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela, who represents the State governor, Pro-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Waklek Joshua Mutka,
Member of Board of Trustees, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Halima Aliko Dangote,
Eng Ahmed Mansur, Executive director, Stakeholder, Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Industries Limited, who represents the Chairman/Founder of Aliko Dangote Foundation,
MD/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, Director, Univeristy of Ibadan school of Business, Prof. Adenike Osofisan
at the unveiling ceremony of the N.3bn Aliko Dangote Business school, donated to the University of Ibadan Business school
L-R: Eng Ahmed Mansur, Executive director, Stakeholder, Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Industries Limited, who represents the Chairman/Founder of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Oyo State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela, who represents the State governor, Member of Board of Trustees, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Halima Aliko Dangote, MD/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Olayinka, Prof. Murtala Sagagi, Dean Dangote Business School, Bayero University Kano, at the unveiling ceremony of the N.3bn Aliko Dangote Business school, donated to the University of Ibadan Business school
L-R: Eng Ahmed Mansur, Executive director, Stakeholder, Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Industries Limited, who represents the Chairman/Founder of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Oyo State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela, who represents the State governor, Member of Board of Trustees, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Halima Aliko Dangote, MD/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Olayinka at the unveiling ceremony of the N.3bn Aliko Dangote Business school, donated to the University of Ibadan Business school
RABIU, ELUMELU ALIGN ON CAPITAL, SCALE, AND INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION AS BUA FOODS POSTS N1.77 TRILLION REVENUE, N28 DIVIDEND
Lagos, Nigeria | March 31, 2026
Nigeria’s industrial and financial heavyweights moved to deepen a partnership that has quietly underpinned decades of enterprise growth, as the Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, hosted the Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu and his executive management team at BUA Group’s corporate headquarters in Lagos.
More than a visit, the engagement brought together two institutions whose alignment of capital and industrial capacity has consistently translated into scale, execution, and long-term value creation across Nigeria and Africa’s economy.
At the centre of discussions was a renewed push to expand financing frameworks for large-scale manufacturing, deepen support for domestic production, and unlock the next phase of growth across food, infrastructure, and export-oriented value chains.
Rabiu, reflecting on a relationship that spans nearly three decades, traced its evolution from the early days of Standard Trust Bank to its present form as a mature, trusted partnership with UBA.
“Enduring partnerships are not built on transactions, but on conviction,” Rabiu said. “What we have built with UBA and the Nigerian financial industry over the years is a shared understanding of where Nigeria is going and what it will take to get there. That alignment remains as strong today as it was at the beginning.”
Elumelu underscored the strategic importance of the relationship, positioning it within a broader vision of African-led growth.
“Institutions like BUA Group demonstrate what is possible when long-term capital meets disciplined execution,” Elumelu said. “Our role is to continue enabling that scale, supporting enterprises that are not only growing, but reshaping the Nigerian economy.”
The meeting signals a continued convergence between capital and industry at a time when Nigeria’s growth story is increasingly being driven by indigenous scale, operational depth, positive government action, and sustained investment in real sectors.
In a parallel demonstration of that scale, BUA Foods, a BUA company, has released its audited results for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, delivering revenue of N1.77 trillion, a 16 per cent increase from N1.53 trillion in 2024.
The performance reflects sustained demand across its core segments including sugar, flour, pasta, and rice, alongside continued execution of its expansion strategy.
Gross profit rose to N737.26 billion, up from N540.82 billion, while profit after tax surged by 95 per cent to N518.4 billion, compared to N265.99 billion in the prior year.
Earnings per share increased to N28.80, reinforcing the strength of the Company’s earnings profile.
In line with its commitment to shareholder value, the Board has proposed a dividend of N28 per share, representing a 115 per cent increase from N13 in 2024, with a total proposed payout of N504 billion, subject to shareholder approval.
Cost of sales stood at N1.037 trillion, while total assets grew by 27 per cent to N1.39 trillion, reflecting sustained investment across operations and the broader value chain.
Speaking on the results, the Chairman of BUA Foods, Abdul Samad Rabiu said, “Our 2025 performance reflects a business that is not only growing, but scaling with discipline. We are building capacity, deepening local production, and delivering consistent value to shareholders, all while positioning for the future.”
The Managing Director, Engr. Ayodele Abioye, added; “Our strategy remains to expand capacity, strengthen market presence, and optimise the full supply chain. The demand signals are strong, and we are well positioned to sustain this momentum.”
Taken together, the meeting between BUA Group and UBA, alongside BUA Foods’ record performance, points to a broader shift for Nigeria. Nigeria’s growth is increasingly being shaped by institutions that combine scale, capital discipline, and long-term vision and should be seen as not just an expansion but a consolidation of industrial leadership.
Governor Dauda Lawal Set To Unlock Zamfara’s Economic Potentials with Tinubu’s UK State Visit
By Oladapo Sofowora
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commences his landmark state visit to the United Kingdom the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, the inclusion of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal in the presidential entourage is not a fluke; rather, it signals a strategic opportunity for the northwest state to transform its economic fortunes. Beyond the ceremonial pageantry, this high-level diplomatic engagement holds concrete prospects for Zamfara, particularly in agriculture and solid minerals development, sectors where the state possesses a comparative advantage but has struggled to attract meaningful investment. With Governor Lawal working assiduously to generate more IGR for the state and also position it as an economically advanced hub within the region with the construction of a Cargo Airport, this ushers in an era where the state is about to witness a great turnaround championed by Governor Lawal.
The timing of the bilateral engagement between the UK and Nigeria is significant, as the trade surplus between the two countries has reached a record £8.1 billion annually, and both nations are intensifying collaboration under the UK–Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) framework.
According to economic pundits, key sectors targeted for cooperation include trade and investment, energy transition, solid minerals development, and security collaboration – all areas with direct implications for subnational governments like Zamfara. For Governor Lawal, being part of this engagement provides direct access to British investors and development partners that could reshape Zamfara’s economic landscape.
Governor Lawal arrives in London with ambitious development plans to corroborate the budget he presented in December 2024, a ₦861.3 billion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year submitted to the Zamfara State House of Assembly, a document he described as “a roadmap for transformation and a declaration that Zamfara will rise stronger.” The budget allocates ₦714.05 billion (83 per cent) to capital expenditure, with sectoral allocations including ₦86 billion for agriculture and significant provisions for infrastructure development. However, these ambitious plans require corresponding revenue streams and investment partnerships to allow them to materialise and reach their full potential.
The governor has been implementing domestic reforms to strengthen the state’s fiscal position. In March 2025, he abolished cash revenue collection across Zamfara, directing all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to adopt digital systems for revenue collection. His administration set an Internally Generated Revenue target of ₦38 billion to ₦42 billion for 2025, building on 2024’s revenue performance of ₦358.9 billion. With all these impeccable performance indicators, domestic resource mobilisation alone cannot fund the scale of transformation he envisions for the state. The only way to scale up is through Foreign Direct Investment, particularly in agriculture and mining, which represents the missing piece of Zamfara’s development puzzle.
Zamfara State is predominantly agrarian, with the majority of its indigenous population engaged in farming. The state’s favourable climate and vast arable land position it as a potential breadbasket for northern Nigeria. However, the sector remains largely subsistence-based, with limited processing capacity and weak linkages to export markets.
The UK state visit offers opportunities to change this dynamic. British companies have demonstrated growing interest in Nigerian agriculture, as evidenced by Twinings Ovaltine’s £24 million manufacturing facility launch in Lagos its first in Africa creating over 100 direct jobs. Similar investments could be directed toward Zamfara’s agricultural sector, which would be a boost and also create more income for farmers in the production of specific crops with value-addition potential. These include:
Zamfara lies within Nigeria’s cotton belt, but the state lacks ginning and textile processing facilities. Partnerships with British textile companies could establish local cotton processing capacity, capturing value currently lost to exports of raw lint. Groundnut is also a major export commodity from northern Nigeria, but production has declined due to neglect of the sector. British confectionery and food processing companies represent potential off-takers for processed groundnuts.
With growing demand for animal feed and industrial starch, Maize and Sorghum crops offer processing opportunities. British agribusiness firms with expertise in agro-processing could establish milling and processing facilities in Zamfara.
With Sesame Seeds already an export crop, sesame production could benefit from improved processing and certification to meet international standards, particularly for the UK market.
For Zamfara, “opportunities for Nigerian businesses” translates directly to potential agricultural partnerships that could modernise farming practices, establish processing infrastructure, and create export linkages.
Perhaps the most significant potential gains for Zamfara lie in the solid minerals sector. The state is renowned for its gold deposits, which have historically attracted both licensed operators and illegal miners. However, the sector has been characterised by informality, environmental degradation, security challenges, and loss of revenue to the state.
Recent developments at the federal level underscore the growing importance of the minerals sector. The Federal Government recently announced the commencement of operations at a high-purity gold refinery in Lagos – a private-sector initiative led by Kian Smith in partnership with UAE-based Suvarna Royal Gold Trading. For Zamfara, this means advocating for gold processing facilities within the state, not merely exporting overseas, but creating a gold refinery which helps create more jobs within the mining value chain. Governor Lawal’s presence in London provides an opportunity to position Zamfara as a preferred location for one of these gold refineries, particularly with British investment partners.
In a bid to redefine the regulatory framework and investment readiness, Zamfara has been taking steps to create an enabling environment for mineral investment. In February 2025, the Federal Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, in collaboration with the Zamfara State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), convened a stakeholders’ meeting with quarry operators, mineral processors, and gold dealers to promote safety and regulatory compliance. The Federal Mines Officer in Zamfara State emphasised that both the federal and Zamfara State governments are determined to promote responsible mining practices that enhance security, safeguard the environment, and ensure that solid mineral resources contribute meaningfully to economic development.
This regulatory clarity is essential for attracting foreign investors. British mining companies and equipment manufacturers require assurance that their investments will operate within a predictable legal framework. The UK–Nigeria ETIP discussions in London provide a platform for Governor Lawal to articulate Zamfara’s investment readiness and regulatory improvements directly to potential partners.
No discussion of Zamfara’s economic potential can ignore the security challenges that have plagued the state. Banditry, kidnapping, and community conflicts have disrupted farming, hindered mining operations, and deterred investment. Governor Lawal’s 2025 budget allocates ₦45 billion to public order and safety, recognising that security is foundational to economic development. The UK visit offers opportunities for security collaboration. Improved security cooperation between Nigeria and the UK could translate to enhanced capacity to protect farming communities and mining sites, creating conditions for agricultural and mineral investments to flourish.
As Governor Lawal engages with British investors and policymakers, he would do well to study how other resource-rich regions have successfully attracted investment while ensuring local benefits. For Zamfara under Governor Lawal, the lesson is clear: attracting investment in extraction must be accompanied by deliberate strategies to build local processing capacity. Simply exporting raw gold or agricultural commodities perpetuates the “resource trap” that has left many African regions impoverished despite abundant natural wealth.
If Governor Lawal’s participation in the UK state visit yields tangible results, Zamfara could experience, in agriculture, British investment in agro-processing facilities, creating jobs for local farmers and capturing value from crops like cotton, groundnuts, and sesame. Technical partnerships to improve farming practices and access to UK markets for certified organic or fair-trade products.
In solid minerals, partnerships with British mining companies for responsible gold extraction, potentially including a gold refinery within Zamfara. Technical assistance for artisanal miners to formalise operations and improve safety. Investment in environmental remediation of degraded mining areas.
For Zamfara State, Governor Lawal’s inclusion in the presidential entourage transforms a diplomatic milestone into a concrete opportunity for subnational economic development. The state’s abundant agricultural land, mineral wealth, and a population eager for economic opportunities hold immense potential. The journey from potential to prosperity is long, but it begins with a single step or in this case, a transatlantic flight carrying Zamfara’s hopes to the corridors of British power and finance.
*Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas LTD to appeal Federal High ruling over forfeiture assets*
Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited has said it will appeal to the recent ruling of the Federal High Court ordering the forfeiture of certain assets.
Barr. Nnenna Onyeaso, the Company Secretary said in a statement on Thursday insisting that neither the company nor its leadership was found guilty of any wrongdoing.
Onyeaso said that the firm has described the court’s decision as a civil asset forfeiture order based on suspicion rather than proof, stressing that the judgment did not establish any criminal liability against the organisation.
According to her, the company maintain that it has already directed its legal team to file an appeal, expressing confidence in the judicial process and the outcome of a thorough review of the case.
“To be clear, this ruling is a civil asset forfeiture order with no finding of wrongdoing against Oceangate or its leadership.
“The court’s decision rested on a legal standard of suspicion, not proof, and it is one we intend to pursue fully through the appeals process,” she said in a statement.
The firm secretary also said that Oceangate has reiterated its belief in the rule of law, noting that the appellate system exists to address such outcomes.
She added that the company remained confident that the facts of the case will ultimately affirm its integrity and business practices.
Onyeaso said that the firm also emphasised that its operations remained unaffected, stating that it continues to provide employment for many Nigerians while contributing to the country’s energy sector and broader economy.
“We have always believed in the ability of the judicial process, and that belief has not wavered,” she added.
She noted that Oceangate further expressed appreciation to its employees, partners, and clients for their continued support amid the development, assuring stakeholders of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
The Secretary said that the company reaffirmed its confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment, describing the country as a land of equity, growth, and opportunity.
“We remain committed to the continued growth of our business and the communities we serve as we are optimistic that justice will prevail at the end of the legal process.
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