Emir Sanusi, Mutallab, others grace Munzali’s book launch on Dantata

The legacy of late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, one of Nigeria’s most iconic entrepreneurs, was celebrated yesterday in Abuja during the public presentation of two books authored by his son, Munzali Dantata. The books, ‘Behind the City Wall’ and ‘Aminu Dantata and the Life and Times of a Nigerian Entrepreneur’, chronicle the life, values, and business […]

The legacy of late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, one of Nigeria’s most iconic entrepreneurs, was celebrated yesterday in Abuja during the public presentation of two books authored by his son, Munzali Dantata.

The books, ‘Behind the City Wall’ and ‘Aminu Dantata and the Life and Times of a Nigerian Entrepreneur’, chronicle the life, values, and business philosophy of the late patriarch, offering rare insights into the evolution of one of West Africa’s most enduring business dynasties.

The event drew dignitaries, scholars, traditional rulers, politicians, business leaders, and captains of industries who paid glowing tributes to the Dantata family’s century-long contribution to commerce and philanthropy.

Guest speaker, Professor Muhammad Tawfiq Ladan, a renowned scholar of regional economic integration law, analysed the Dantata business model, situating it within the broader context of African trade and development.

“Everybody has been presenting the Dantata business model and Alhaji Aminu Dantata in the context of Kano and Nigeria.

“But as a professor of regional economic integration law and practice in Africa, I would like to briefly put it in the context that the Dantata business model was essentially a cross-border trade model,” he said.

He posed two central questions: “What actually made the Dantata business model transformative? What also made the Dantata business model sustainable over a century?”

Ladan explained, “I actually found that the Dantata family business model was built by the late grandfather Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, expanded by his sons, including late Alhaji Aminu Dantata. It was profoundly a transformative and sustainable business model over a century because it has evolved from a pre-colonial trading network into a modern diversified conglomerate.

“The success of the Dantata business model in Kano, across Nigeria and in West Africa was essentially rooted in cross-border trade. This in itself offers us a critical lesson for the West African states.”

“The Dantata business model has been promoting cross-border trade for a hundred years — 75 years older than the ECOWAS community of West African states.”

He also linked the model to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying, “The Dantata business model has essentially some lessons to be learned by both the ECOWAS community and by the African Union continental free trade area that is just 6 years old.”

Ladan outlined five transformative features of the model: transition from traditional to modern enterprise, strategic expansion, vertical integration, trust-based networks, and generational succession.

He said, “Initially, a caravan merchant adapted to the colonial economy, becoming a licensed buying agent for European companies.

“He was a pioneer in adopting western business models, being the first in Kano to use a bank, depositing a vast amount of coins in 1929.”

On sectoral growth, Ladan added, “The Dantata business model grew from Kano-centred trade in kola nuts and groundnuts to a wide-reaching network diversified into critical sectors like construction, oil and gas, real estate, and banking.”

He praised the family’s vertical integration strategy, “They could dominate their markets, especially in the groundnut trade where late Alhaji Alhassan Dantata famously amassed huge pyramids.”

“Trust and kinship were also central. “The business model relied heavily on an extensive network of credit and kinship rather than just formal contracts, enabling trade to flourish even in regions with undeveloped formal institutions.”

On sustainability, Ladan cited diversification, values, philanthropy, and succession. “The business model promoted long-term survival through diversifying away from its original dependence on commodities.

“Values like the principles of integrity, trust, and religious ethics, social investment supporting education, healthcare and religious institutions.

“Succession was planned by the family, transforming itself from my great-grandfather, who guided his sons for eventual leadership, prioritizing succession deliberately from one generation to the next.”

 

Sanusi celebrates Dantata legacy, calls for preservation of Kano’s spirit

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, stressed the deep connection between individual brilliance and the enabling environment of Kano.

Though he admitted he had not yet read the books, Sanusi said he could imagine the central lesson: “Learning from the life of the individual but also learning from the environment that was created for those individuals to thrive and for them to succeed.”

The Emir shared a personal anecdote that highlighted Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s generosity and character. “Alhaji Aminu Dantata was my father’s classmate in middle school. But not just that. When my father married, Alhaji Aminu Dantata was his best man.

“My father retired from the civil service as permanent secretary in 1978-79. He borrowed money from UBA to build his house in Kaduna. Interest rates then were like 3% or 4%. Then suddenly, in the 1980s, we had structural adjustment, and interest rates went as high as 40%.”

“For a retired civil servant, his entire pension was being wiped out by interest. So, he told me that in a casual conversation with Alhaji Aminu, he mentioned this problem. He said, ‘I don’t understand this economics. How can I borrow money at 3% and then now I’m paying at 20-something percent? My pension cannot pay interest.’”

In response, Dantata offered a solution rooted in compassion. “So, Alhaji Aminu said to him, ‘Chiroma, let’s do something. Let me give you all the money you owe the bank. Go and pay it, and then you can pay me back without interest.’

“This is the one thing I hold on to. It is the one thing by which I will always remember him. As a matter of personal principle, I never forget those who honoured my parents.”

Sanusi commended Munzali Dantata for documenting the family’s story. “I congratulate Munzali for this work. I tried very hard to get my father to write his biography, and he refused. But I think that he was able to convince Alhaji Aminu to do that.”

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said Aminu Dantata’s demise is a great loss not only to Kano but also to Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab, pioneer chairman of Jaiz Bank and elder statesman, reflected on his personal and professional relationship with Aminu Dantata.

“When he was the chairman of a company based in Funtua, of which I also happen to be a director, we developed that relationship,” Mutallab said. “The company, of course, is no more in operation because of the lack of raw materials and so forth.”

He recalled Dantata’s early support for Islamic banking. “He was one of the first people we contacted among the business community. And he was very supportive. He welcomed the idea.”

Mutallab revealed that Dantata had once tried to establish an Islamic bank. “But unfortunately, the environment was not suitable at the time.”

Mutallab acknowledged the contributions of other stakeholders, “We had the cooperation and support of the Islamic Development Bank of Saudi Arabia, Bank Bangladesh to come and lead us in the first setup.”

He also sent a tribute, “From late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who was ably represented by Tajudeen Dantata, we wish him his life in paradise. And we all hope and pray that we will join him in this very place of peace and security after life.”

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State described the books as remarkable contributions to intellectual growth and historical documentation in Nigeria.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Usman Shehu, who represented him at the event, the governor commended the author for his creativity and commitment to preserving history through literary works.

Governor Mohammed noted that his administration remains committed to honouring deserving personalities whose dedication and service have contributed to the progress and reputation of Nigeria.

In a tribute to the late elder statesman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, the governor extended his condolences to the family, associates, and Nigerians at large over the loss of “a true national icon.”

He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon Dantata’s soul and for his eternal rest in Aljanna Firdausi.

Addressing the author, whom he referred to as “the Dantata of the new era,” Governor Mohammed urged him to continue his efforts in creative writing and historical documentation, assuring that his contributions to knowledge would one day be celebrated nationally.

He reaffirmed that the Bauchi State Government is always willing to support and partner in initiatives that promote patriotism, integrity, and intellectual advancement in northern Nigeria and the country at large.