By Editor
Prominent Nigerian business leaders and statesmen donated over N17 billion to the IBB Presidential Library Foundation during the public presentation of former president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s autobiography – ‘A Journey in Service’ – in what can be described as a grand display of support for the former military leader.
The fundraiser, organised by the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, saw significant contributions from Africa’s wealthiest individuals, including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and General Theophilus Danjuma. The event also featured former Nigerian heads of state, including Generals Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalam Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as a representative of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo chaired the occasion.
The event, held on Thursday at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, attracted high-profile attendees, including former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who delivered the keynote address.
Dangote leads with N8bn donation, says IBB architect of Nigeria’s private sector
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, made the single largest donation of N8 billion, to be paid in installments of N2 billion annually over four years. Dangote praised Babangida for his transformative policies during his regime, which he said liberated the private sector and laid the foundation for Nigeria’s economic growth.
“Your Excellency, you were the architect of the private sector in Nigeria,” Dangote said. “Your policies, such as the abolition of import licences and the issuance of banking licences, enabled Nigerian businesses to thrive. Today, the private sector contributes 85% of Nigeria’s GDP, while the government contributes only 15%.”
Dangote also pledged to continue his annual contributions of N2 billion if the library project extends beyond the initial four-year timeline.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group and co-launcher of the book, donated N5 billion to the IBB Presidential Library project. Similarly, General Theophilus Danjuma, founder and Chairman Emeritus of the TY Danjuma Foundation, pledged N3 billion. Their contributions underscored the high regard for Babangida’s legacy and the importance of preserving Nigeria’s history through the library.
Obasanjo, Jonathan laud Babangida’s legacy
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event, commended Babangida for documenting his experiences in ‘A Journey in Service’. He noted that the book would serve as a valuable historical resource, though he cautioned that it might elicit mixed reactions.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also praised Babangida, stating that Nigeria’s history would be incomplete without acknowledging the former military leader’s contributions.
