Dantata’s Final Journey: Dangote, Otedola Storm Madinah For Emotional Farewell

Billionaire industrialist and celebrated philanthropist, Aminu Dantata, is set to be buried on Tuesday afternoon in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, fulfilling his lifelong wish to be laid to rest in one of Islam’s most sacred cities.

Dantata, who died on Saturday in Abu Dhabi at the age of 94, will be interred at the historic Jannatul Baqi Cemetery—located beside the Prophet’s Mosque—shortly after the Asr prayer, around 1:30 p.m. Nigerian time.

Although his burial was initially planned for Monday, it was delayed due to documentation issues involving the Nigerian embassy in Saudi Arabia and his family.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, a member of the official government delegation attending the burial, confirmed the postponement. He assured that all necessary documentation had now been finalized.

“Dantata will be laid to rest on Tuesday, as both sides have resolved all required formalities,” Idris stated.

Earlier on Tuesday, Dantata’s son, Sanusi Dantata, shared on (formerly Twitter) that his father’s remains had arrived safely in Madinah.

Sanusi also disclosed that Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote—Dantata’s great-nephew—accompanied the body from Abu Dhabi to Madinah. A brief 19-second video posted alongside showed billionaire Femi Otedola seated beside Dangote, underscoring the presence of top dignitaries during the somber journey.