Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has pledged two major interventions to support the Ilorin Central Juma’at Mosque, its Board of Trustees announced on Sunday.
Speaking at the mosque premises, Board Secretary Alhaji Shehu Abdulgafar said Dangote will fund the construction of a 250-bed ultramodern hostel for the University of Ilorin, valued at ₦1.1 billion. Rental income from the facility will be channelled into the mosque’s upkeep.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the university grants the mosque ownership and management of the hostel for 21 years before it reverts to the institution. Dangote has also begun redeeming a ₦5 million monthly donation to support the mosque’s maintenance until the hostel is completed.
Abdulgafar described the intervention as a “historic rescue” of the mosque’s finances and said it aligns with the vision of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, to make the mosque self-sustaining.
The Board also honoured past and present leaders who contributed to the mosque’s development, while appealing to indigenes and friends of Ilorin to continue supporting the landmark.
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