University students across Nigeria have welcomed the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Student Share Grant Initiative, describing it as a rare opportunity to gain practical investment experience and participate in wealth creation through the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP).
The students spoke during an online engagement organised by the Aliko Dangote Foundation for campus journalists from tertiary institutions across the country.
The engagement focused on the Dangote Refinery IPO, financial literacy, responsible investing and opportunities available to young Nigerians in the capital market.
Under the Student Share Grant Initiative, eligible students aged 18 and above in recognised public and private tertiary institutions can subscribe for a minimum of 10 DPRP shares through the Foundation’s dedicated platform and receive an additional 10 shares at no extra cost.
The initiative is designed to introduce young Nigerians to investing early while promoting financial literacy, ownership and long-term wealth creation.
The programme has generated considerable interest among students, with participants describing it as an opportunity to gain firsthand experience of investing while becoming shareholders in one of Africa’s major industrial projects.
A University of Ibadan student, Amaechi Rosemary, said the initiative had made investment more accessible to young people.
“Many students hear about shares and investments but never imagine they can become shareholders while still in school. This initiative removes that barrier and gives us an opportunity to learn about wealth creation through practical participation,” she said.
Another University of Ibadan student, Emmanuel Ndah, described the programme as both educational and empowering.
“Beyond the additional shares, the programme teaches us important lessons about investing and financial responsibility. It is encouraging to see young people being included in Nigeria’s economic growth story,” he said.
Moshood Muheeb of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said the initiative demonstrated confidence in Nigerian youths and encouraged them to begin building wealth responsibly.
Esther Olatunji of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said the initiative could help students develop long-term investment habits.
“This is more than a share offer. It is an opportunity to learn about ownership, financial discipline and long-term wealth creation,” she said.
The students also noted that the initiative had triggered discussions across campuses on saving, investing and asset ownership.
Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said the programme was part of the Foundation’s effort to empower young people beyond conventional educational support.
He said exposing youths to investment opportunities early would help them make better financial decisions, build wealth responsibly and participate more meaningfully in the formal economy.
“Supporting young people goes beyond access to education. It also involves providing opportunities that enable them to participate meaningfully in economic growth and wealth creation,” Dangote said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, said the initiative combines financial education with practical investment experience.
According to her, students are able to experience the investment process firsthand, from verification and subscription to share ownership.
She said the Foundation’s ambition extends beyond the current IPO, noting that the programme seeks to inspire a lifelong interest in investing, financial literacy and asset ownership among young Nigerians.
Eligible students can complete the verification process through the Foundation’s dedicated IPO platform before subscribing for the minimum 10 DPRP shares required to qualify for the additional 10 shares funded by the Foundation.
The Foundation said the initiative is a stand-alone programme aimed at increasing youth participation in investment and creating a generation of financially informed young Nigerians with a stake in the country’s economic future.
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