Dangote Commits Over N1bn To Ilọrin Central Mosque Hostel Project

Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has taken full responsibility for the construction of a 250-bed student hostel project conceived by the Ilorin Central Jumma’at Mosque at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. The initiative, estimated at ₦1.1 billion, was originally launched by the Mosque to create a sustainable […]

Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has taken full responsibility for the construction of a 250-bed student hostel project conceived by the Ilorin Central Jumma’at Mosque at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

The initiative, estimated at ₦1.1 billion, was originally launched by the Mosque to create a sustainable source of income for its upkeep.

The project is expected to generate annual rental revenue from students, which will be channeled into the maintenance and running of the Mosque.

Confirming the development at a press conference in Ilorin on Sunday, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Mosque, Alhaji Shehu AbdulGafar, said Dangote had formally communicated his decision to finance the hostel project to the Mosque management.

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According to him, the Mosque committee had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Ilorin, granting it the right to own and manage the facility for 21 years before transferring ownership back to the institution.

AbdulGafar revealed that apart from sponsoring the construction, Dangote has pledged a monthly donation of ₦5 million to support the Mosque’s maintenance until the hostel is fully completed.

He noted that the business mogul had already commenced the monthly contribution last month.

“This intervention by Alhaji Aliko Dangote will not only ease the burden of financing the project but also strengthen the sustainability of the Mosque’s operations. It is a gesture that demonstrates his deep commitment to both education and religion,” AbdulGafar said.

He stressed that the hostel, once completed, would provide modern accommodation for University of Ilorin students, helping to address the perennial challenge of inadequate hostel space on campus.

AbdulGafar assured that work on the hostel would begin in earnest under Dangote’s sponsorship, with the Board committed to transparency in ensuring the project achieves its objectives for both the Mosque and the University.

The Mosque’s Board of Trustees described the support as a landmark in the history of the project, adding that it reflects the enduring partnership between the religious institution, the business community, and the University.

Community leaders and Mosque stakeholders who attended the briefing commended Dangote for what they described as an act of generosity that would benefit both the Muslim Ummah and the student population in Ilorin.

They also expressed confidence that the project will set a model for how faith-based initiatives can be sustained through innovative investments and private sector collaboration.