Nigerian Delegation Arrives Saudi Arabia For Dantata’s burial

A delegation from the Nigerian government has reached Madinah, Saudi Arabia, to take custody of the body of the late business tycoon and respected elder, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, in preparation for his burial in the sacred Islamic city.

Alhaji Dantata, a renowned Nigerian industrialist and generous philanthropist, passed away on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at the age of 94.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the top-level delegation left Nigeria on Sunday night and arrived in Madinah in the early hours of Monday, June 30, 2025.

Heading the delegation is the Minister of Defence and former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.

Other members include the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Honourable Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.

Joining the delegation are notable Islamic clerics and faith leaders such as Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, and Khalifa Abdullahi Muhammad, who serves as the Imam of the Dantata Mosque in Abuja.

Upon arrival, the team was welcomed by representatives of the Nigerian Consulate General in Jeddah, headed by Ambassador Muazzam Ibrahim Nayaya, who has been coordinating funeral arrangements in partnership with authorities in Saudi Arabia.

The funeral of the late elder statesman is set to be held later on Monday, following Islamic burial traditions.

Dantata had long expressed his desire to be laid to rest in Medina, one of the most sacred cities in Islam.

Honoring his wish, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia granted official approval for his burial in Medina, fulfilling this deeply personal and spiritual request.

His Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Junaid, and his relative Sanusi Dantata confirmed the approval via social media. Junaid stated, “I have received approval to take Aminu Alhassan Dantata from Abu Dhabi to Madina; he will be buried tomorrow morning by the grace of Allah.”

He will be laid to rest beside his wife, Rabi’a Dantata, who died in 2023, in Medina.

The Janazah prayer (Islamic funeral service) was planned to be held at Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque, on Sunday, June 29.

There were earlier considerations to repatriate his body to Kano, Nigeria, in case of delays in receiving clearance from Saudi authorities. However, once the approval was secured, plans were finalized to move his remains from Abu Dhabi to Medina.


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