Nigeria’s elite gathered at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday to mark the launch of former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s autobiography.
Titled A Journey in Service, the memoir was unveiled at an event graced by President Bola Tinubu, who served as the Special Guest of Honour.
The occasion also doubled as a fundraiser for the IBB Presidential Library Project. While numerous contributors preferred to keep their donations confidential, Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, made a standout commitment by pledging N8 billion—disbursed as N2 billion per year over the next four years—to support the project’s completion.
He pledged to continue donating N2 billion annually if the project extended beyond the planned timeframe until its completion. Several other prominent Nigerians also committed funds to the library’s construction.
Alhaji Abdul Rabiu, the Chief Launcher and Founder of BUA Group, contributed N5 billion, while Theophilus Danjuma, co-Chief Launcher and Founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation, donated N3 billion.Additionally, business magnate Chief Arthur Eze donated N500 million, Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) contributed N250 million, and Mustafa Chike-Obi of Fidelity Bank pledged N100 million, among other donations.
During his speech, Dangote commended Babangida for policies that strengthened Nigeria’s private sector during his tenure. He specifically highlighted the abolition of import licences, which spurred domestic industry growth.“These reforms, among others, have resulted in Nigeria having the highest private-sector involvement in Africa,” Dangote stated, noting that the private sector now contributes 85% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, while the government accounts for just 15%.Expressing his appreciation, he credited Babangida as the architect of Nigeria’s private sector. “Anyone who has succeeded in business today owes it to you, as you made it easier for us to obtain the necessary licences,” he added.
