University students across Nigeria have welcomed the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Student Share Grant Initiative.
They described the programme as a rare chance to enter the capital market early, gain practical investment experience and own a stake in one of Africa’s most ambitious industrial projects.
The initiative was launched alongside the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP). It has generated growing interest among students in tertiary institutions across the country.
The Foundation’s Student Share Grant Initiative allows eligible students aged 18 years and above in public and private tertiary institutions to buy a minimum of 10 DPRP shares through its PLATFORM.
For every qualifying subscription, the Foundation provides an additional 10 shares to the student at no extra cost.
The programme is designed to widen participation in the Dangote Refinery IPO. It also aims to introduce young Nigerians to the fundamentals of investing, ownership and long-term wealth creation.
The Foundation over the weekend held an online engagement with campus journalists from tertiary institutions nationwide.
Students Praise Dangote Share Grant as Investment Starter
Discussions centred on the refinery IPO, financial literacy, responsible investing and opportunities in Nigeria’s capital market.
Amaechi Rosemary, a student of the University of Ibadan, said the programme had removed some of the barriers that discourage young people from investing.
“Many students hear about shares and investments but never imagine they can become shareholders while still in school. This initiative removes that barrier and gives us an opportunity to learn about wealth creation through practical participation,” she said.
Another University of Ibadan student, Emmanuel Ndah, described the initiative as both educational and empowering.
“Beyond the additional shares, the programme teaches us important lessons about investing and financial responsibility. It is encouraging to see young people being included in Nigeria’s economic growth story,” he said.
For Moshood Muheeb of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, the initiative sends a strong message about the capacity of Nigerian youths to take part responsibly in wealth creation.
“This programme sends a strong message that students are not too young to invest,” he said.
Similarly, Esther Olatunji of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said the programme could help create a generation of young Nigerians with stronger investment habits.
“This is more than a share offer. It is an opportunity to learn about ownership, financial discipline and long-term wealth creation,” she said.
Opens Share Grant to Tertiary Students
Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said the initiative reflected the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young people beyond conventional educational support.
“Supporting young people goes beyond access to education. It also involves providing opportunities that enable them to participate meaningfully in economic growth and wealth creation,” Dangote said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, said the programme was structured to combine financial education with practical investment experience.
She said financial literacy becomes more meaningful when young people can apply what they learn.
According to her, students taking part would experience the investment process firsthand, from verification and subscription to share ownership.
“We hope to inspire a lifelong interest in investing, financial literacy and asset ownership among young Nigerians,” she said.
Eligible students in recognised tertiary institutions can complete the verification process through the Foundation’s platform before subscribing for the minimum 10 DPRP shares.
They then qualify for the additional 10 shares funded by the Foundation.
Wow this is really nice, giving students a chance to get a hold of a share of the company. Kudos to him and his group.