Nigerian president inaugurates billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu’s $1.2-million innovation center

Yusuf Abdulfatai -

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday inaugurated the Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) International Center for Innovations and Entrepreneurship at the University of Maiduguri campus in Borno State.

The N1-billion ($1.2 million) ultra-modern innovation center, which marks another benevolent move by Nigerian billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu through his philanthropic organization, Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), aligns with the billionaire’s vision to empower, contribute, and foster talents and skills development across Africa.

What they are saying

At the inauguration ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 18, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing Tinubu, expressed gratitude for the latest move, describing the donation as a “service to humanity.” He also commended his commitment towards complementing the efforts of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Professor Aliyu Shugaba, the university’s vice chancellor, lauded Rabiu for his effort. He highlighted the importance of the ASR International Center for Innovations and Entrepreneurship in providing a conducive environment for entrepreneurial training and fostering a change in entrepreneurial learning.

Founded in April 2021, ASR Africa focuses on delivering enduring impact in health, education, and social development across the African continent. With a net worth of $6.4 billion, Forbes ranks Rabiu as Africa’s sixth-richest billionaire and Nigeria’s second-richest man.

ASR Africa’s milestones: From oncology center to security support fund

The inauguration of the innovation center comes after Rabiu’s groundbreaking for a state-of-the-art N2.5-billion ($3.25 million) oncology center in Ilorin, Kwara State. The initiative, which is being carried out under the sponsorship of ASR Africa, intends to act as a regional healthcare hub for all of West Africa.

Through its Tertiary Health Systems Support Grant initiative, ASR Africa has made significant contributions to the Nigerian healthcare sector, giving four states grants totaling N10 billion ($13 million) in amounts of N2.5 billion ($3.25 million).

Rabiu made history in 2022 when he introduced the $23.8-million Nigeria Security Support Fund, a ground-breaking initiative, marking the largest philanthropic gesture by a Nigerian to date.