By ‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Sequel to the announcement of N1 trillion worth of a scholarship programme which will benefit 1.2 million youths by Dangote Foundation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Alhaji Aliko Dangote, particularly his compassion for the poor and his generousity.

‎‎The appeal was contained in a press release circulated to the media on Wednesday, 17th December, 2025 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎‎The press release reads:

‎‎”Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) and President of Dangote Group, yesterday announced a N1 trillion scholarship programme. The scheme will benefit 1.3 million Nigerian students (https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/12/12/dangote-launches-n1trn-scholarship-scheme-for-1-3m-nigerian-students/).

‎‎”The gargantuan project will use a merit-based, fully digital system for selection and disbursement. Indubitable credibility has been added to the project by the fact that it will not be handled by Dangote Foundation alone. It was revealed that it would be implemented in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC, and NECO.

“This is amazing. We are overwhelmed with a huge sense of gratitude. It is an unprecedented, record-breaking and monumental exercise in charitable deeds that challenges the Guinness World Records. This scheme has proved beyond any doubt that Alhaji Aliko Dangote has the milk and blood of humanity as well as the unmistakable Adamic chromosome flowing in his veins.

‎‎”Nay, the offer has convincingly proved that Dangote is a numero uno patriot, a friend of the masses primus inter pareil and a champion of charity cum education nulli secundus. With this performance, we have no iota of doubt that chroniclers will engrave Dangote’s name in letters of gold on Zuma Rock.

‎‎”By making the scheme touch 1.3 million students in all the 774 local government areas of Nigeria, Dangote has earned a valid certificate of the most detribalised Nigerian ever known in the history of this country. This scheme is breath-taking, massive.

‎‎”We celebrate Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Based on the popular axiom, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’, we remind Nigerians that Dangote deserves the love and admiration of Nigerians. These should be extended beyond him to his family, businesses and interests. Most importantly, those who are in the habit of hating the rich should realise by now that not every wealthy person is an enemy of the poor. Aliko Dangote is an exception.

“MURIC charges Nigerians to key into Dangote’s vision. This vision is encapsulated in Dangote’s words to Nigerian youths. He said, ‘Your dreams matter. Your education matters. Your future matters. We believe in you. We are investing in you. And we are committed to ensuring that you do not walk this journey alone.’

‎‎”To affirm his commitment to the promotion of the ambitions of young people, he also said, ‘No young person should have their future cut short because of financial hardship. We are stepping forward to ensure students stay in school and pursue their ambitions. This initiative is more than financial aid. It is an investment in human capital’. These are words on the marble. They are inspiring.

‎‎”The Dangote scholarship scheme should be emulated by other wealthy Nigerians, particularly his compassion for the poor and his generousity. Besides, through this scheme, our youth must see hope, not desperation. They must see beauty in Nigeria, not ‘jagajaga’. They must see unity, not ‘scatter scatter’.”