Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, on Thursday pledged to donate N8 billion for the actualisation of the presidential library of former military president Ibrahim Babangida, popularly known as IBB.
Speaking at the public presentation of “A Journey in Service,” IBB’s autobiography and fundraising for his presidential library held in Abuja, Dangote said he will be supporting the project with N2 billion annually for a period of four years.
Dangote praised Babangida’s administration for introducing transformative policies, which he noted encouraged Nigerian investors to drive economic development.
“Your excellency, I could continue to list all the reforms you introduced that liberated the private sector, which is why Nigeria has more private sector involvement than any other country in Africa,” he said.
“It is only in Nigeria where government contribution to GDP is a mere 15 percent, with the remainder being driven by the private sector,” he added while expressing hope that future Nigerian leaders will adopt similar policies for the betterment of the country.
“Your excellency, based on what I have observed, I believe this project will require at least four years to complete. I would like to contribute N2 billion each year for the next four years, amounting to N8 billion in total. Should the project extend beyond four years, I will continue to contribute N2 billion annually.”
Other prominent Nigerians who pledged donations to the library’s construction include Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder of BUA, who donated N5 billion.
Theophilus Danjuma, founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation, donated N3 billion; Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, donated N50 million; Arthur Eze pledged N500 million; and Mustafa Chike-Obi of Fidelity Bank gave N100 million.
