Dangote to construct N1.1bn hostel in UNILORIN

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has pledged to finance a proposed N1.1 billion ultramodern hostel project at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in support of the Ilorin Central Juma’at Mosque.

The 250-bed facility, conceived by the mosque’s management, would serve as students accommodation, with rental proceeds channelled to the maintenance and upkeep of the mosque.

The Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Ilorin Central Juma’at Mosque, Shehu Abdulgafar, disclosed this at a briefing with journalists in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Abdulgafar said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had already been signed with the management of UNILORIN.

21,971 students jostle for UNILORIN’s 13,000 admission slots

Abdulgafar stated that the mosque would own and manage the hostel for 21 years, after which the ownership will revert to the university.

He disclosed that Dangote also pledged a monthly donation of N5 million to support the mosque’s operations until the hostel becomes fully functional.

“The gesture will go a long way in ensuring the sustainability of the mosque’s operations, also providing modern accommodation for students of the university,” he added.

Abdulgafar also announced the donation of a multi-million-naira solar-powered mini-grid to the mosque by the senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha.

He noted that the project, which was nearly completed, would provide uninterrupted power supply to the mosque and parts of the Emir’s palace.

The Star