Alhassan Dantata

Alhaji (Dr.) Aminu Alhassan Dantata was born in Bebeji, Kano State, Nigeria in 1877 to Abdullahi Dantata and Amarya. He was a business mogul and chairman of various business establishments across Nigeria.

Alhassan Dantata Age

Not available.

Alhassan Dantata Early Life

Born as the fifteen child of his parent's seventeen children, Dantata grew up in a wealthy home from the Agalawa group in Kano. He attended primary education at Dala Primary School from 1938 to 1945 and then went on to complete his education through home schooling from a private school his father built. When his father died, he and the other children were just too young to manage their father’s wealth. They were however, given their portions in accordance to the Islamic law. He also attended Koranic school in Bebeji which was run by Tijaniyya.

Alhassan Dantata Career

Coming from a business driven family gave Dantata a platform to venture into business. He joined his father's company, Alhassan Dantata & Sons Limited, after his education. He started out as a produce buyer in 1949. He grew to become the Sokoto district manager of the business in 1955, same year he lost his father. In 1958 he became the managing director of the business alongside his brother Ahmadu who was the managing director. He became and remained the Chairman and head of the business after the death of his brother in 1960. He also dealt in groundnuts and kola nuts. He was a supplier to large British trading companies and also did business in the Former Gold Coast (Ghana). 

Dantata went on to stretch out the business into many diverse sectors including politics.  He became a commissioner in the newly created Kano state in the late 1960’s. He also created a construction firm in the early 1960’s that was even patronized by the newly independent government in Nigeria. His firm was given the contract to build a part of the School of Aviation in Zaria.

He was also a very much recognized patron of the newly independent Nigerian Government such that he was sent on important state affairs. In 1961 he and three other businessmen were sent on the first worldwide mission by the independent government of Nigeria; it was a 23 member economic mission. The great business mogul was made a pioneer board member of the Nigerian Industrial Development in 1964 and in 1968, was appointed Kano State commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, and Industry under the administration of Audu Bako. He held the position of commissioner up until 1973.

After leaving his political position as commissioner, he went on to join the Nation’s newly soaring commercial drive and he bought shares in prominent companies such as Namco Nig, Main Line transport, SCOA, Funtua Cotton Seed Crushing Co and Raleigh Industries. The Dantata business continued to enjoy patronage from the government as they expanded and grew in the North, they supplied various state governments with fertilizer, jute bags, rice, and cement. They also delved into importing; they imported building materials and automobiles and even went on to be a major distributor of Mercedes Benz cars in the country.

 

Alhassan Dantata Personal Life

Dantata lived in Kano and had two wives, namely Umma Zaria and Maimuna. He married his first wife in 1949 and had numerous children including Mamuda, Ahmadu, Sanusi, Aminu, Mudi, among others. He was also a board member of the Emir of Kano’s Council and was a Muslim. He died on August 17th, 1955 and was buried in Sarari ward of Kano. He was among the wealthiest men in West African by the time he died.

Alhassan Dantata Awards

He was the first chancellor of  Al-Qalam University, Katsina.

Alhassan Dantata Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

Alhassan Dantata on Social Media