Dangote Donates N8bn For IBB Presidential Library Project
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, on Thursday, donated N8 billion for the construction of IBB presidential library.
Dangote announced the donation during the unveiling of the book, “A Journey in Service,” an autobiography of former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, and the inauguration of the library project.
He said that the money would be spread over four years at N2 billion annually, adding that if the project extends beyond the four years, he would continue to donate N2 billion annually until it was completed.
The Dangote Group CEO praised the former president for implementing policies that liberated the private sector during his regime.
He said that Babangida’s transformative policies encouraged Nigerian investors to play prominent roles in the economy.
He particularly highlighted the abolition of import licences, which helped stimulate domestic industries.
“These reforms, among others, ensured that Nigeria now has more private-sector involvement than any other country in Africa,” he said.
According to him, this shift, led the private sector to now contribute 85 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product while the government contributes just 15 per cent.
“Your Excellency, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all you have done for Nigeria. Many may not realise that you were the architect of the private sector in Nigeria.
“Anyone in the private sector who has achieved prominence today owes it to you, as you provided us with the necessary licences.
“In the past, we used to struggle to obtain licences through intermediaries, including Indians,” he said.
