Nigeria’s second-richest man supports higher education with $12.3-million donation

Nigeria’s second-richest man Abdul Samad Rabiu has made a significant contribution to higher education in the country through his philanthropic organization, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa).

Rabiu has donated N5.5 billion ($12.3 million) in grants to 22 Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions.

The grants, which will be distributed through ASR Africa’s Tertiary Education Grants Scheme (TEGS), will provide N250 million ($560,700) to each of the selected institutions for infrastructure development.

This brings the total number of tertiary education institutions in Nigeria that have benefited from ASR Africa’s education interventions to 30, with eight universities previously receiving grants under the TEGS Scheme.

Rabiu, who is the chairman of BUA Group, said education is one of the three core focus areas for ASR Africa’s interventions in Nigeria and across Africa. He noted that investing in education is key to helping the continent “leapfrog the development divide” and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

ASR Africa is a nonprofit foundation that was established in April 2021 with the aim of addressing developmental concerns related to health, education, and social development across Africa.

The Managing Director of ASR Africa, Ubon Udoh, announced the 22 selected institutions for the $12.3 million in grants, stating that they were chosen based on carefully selected criteria. The next phase of the grant process will involve project selection and the development of mutual accountability frameworks with the respective universities.

Rabiu’s grant will provide a much-needed boost to Nigeria’s higher education sector and will help to improve the infrastructure and facilities at the selected institutions. It is clear that Rabiu is committed to using his wealth and influence to make a positive impact on his home country and the wider continent.