When Chinese billionaire and co-founder of Alibaba, Jack Ma, announced his intention to support Africa’s fight against Covid-19 by donating essential medical supplies, Nigerians reacted with immense gratitude.
And then almost immediately, the attention shifted to Nigeria’s own billionaires. Nigerians wanted to know what the country’s top business elites were doing to support their country which, unfortunately, is one of those hat have been plagued by the pandemic.
A couple of days later, the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 was announced as the umbrella body under which industrialists and corporate organizations would donate funds to support efforts in combating the contagious virus.
Fast-forward to a fortnight later, the donations have grossed N15.325 billion, thanks to the magnanimity of almost 40 donors comprising of individuals and corporate bodies.
Let’s now focus on some of the top Nigerian billionaires who rose to the occasion and contributed to the good cause.
(READ MORE: COVID-19: CIBN supports Lagos with N20million)
Aliko Dangote
The successful businessman rose to the occasion by collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria to lead the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19. The purpose of the coalition was to mobilise private sector leadership and resources to increase general public awareness and provide support to healthcare facilities during the crisis.
He also teamed up with Access Bank Plc to provide treatment, testing, training and isolation centers across the country.
Aliko Dangote then made a personal donation of N2 billion to support the cause.
The famous industrialist has consistently maintained his position on top of Forbes Africa’s list of richest Africans. As the majority owner of Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote is a force to reckon with in the business world.
Femi Otedola
Mr. Otedola announced his donation of N1 billion to the relief fund via his Instagram and Twitter handles. According to him, “We must all do what we can to flatten the curve.”
🙏🏾 …F.Ote💲 pic.twitter.com/kC3tsxmBl9
— Femi Ote$ (@realFemiOtedola) March 27, 2020
Femi Otedola was the Chairman of Forte Oil Plc (now Ardova Plc) until early 2019 when he divested his stakeholding in the oil and gas company.
With an estimated net worth that is close to $1 billion, Femi Otedola is known for his generosity. Not too long ago, he donated N5 billion to the Save the Children Foundation to support destitute children in Nigeria’s Northeast region.
Abdulsamad Rabiu
Rabiu made a cash donation of 1 billion Naira through the BUA foundation and took it a step further by placing orders for additional equipment and medical supplies including testing kits and protective gear to nine states across the country: Lagos, Kano, Adamawa, Edo, Kwara, Rivers, Abia, Akwa-Ibom and Sokoto.
“Each of these nine states will receive about 100,000 protective facemasks, 1000 high-grade medical protection and isolation gear, 2000 protective goggles, 1000 gloves and 1000 testing kits among other things,” Rabiu stated.”
Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a conglomerate that engages in the sugar refining, cement manufacturing, real estate, and port operations.
He is the third richest man in Nigeria, according to Forbes with $3.13 billion net worth.
Note that BUA Group also made a separate donation of N300 million to Sokoto, Edo and Ogun States to help trigger a coordinated response in the fight against COVID-19. BUA Cement has its major operations in the beneficiary states, even as Ogun State was selected as a beneficiary due to its proximity to Lagos, the epicenter of the Coronavirus in Nigeria.
(READ MORE: Covid-19 Update in Nigeria)
Folorunsho Alakija
Africa’s second richest woman donated the sum of N1 billion. The donation was made through Famfa oil, which she owns, and with the name Modupe and Folorunsho Alakija.
Mr. and Mrs. Modupe and Folorunso Alakija through @FamfaOilLimited Pledge N1 Billion Naira to Support Nigeria’s Fight Against COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/hX543dkeoS
— Folorunso Alakija (@alakijaofficial) March 30, 2020
Her tweet provided a breakdown of how the money is to be allocated:
- N250 million to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Lagos State Government each.
- The remainder of the funds is to be shared among African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious diseases, frontline health workers in Lagos and Abuja, the supply of medical equipment to the relevant organizations and the Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (DRASA) health trust.
Folorunsho Alakija is the founder of Famfa Oil. She also has business interests in fashion and printing, and is estimated to be worth $1 billion according to Forbes.
(READ MORE: COVID-19: Figure hits 190 as Nigeria records 6 new cases)
(READ MORE: COVID-19: MTN promises 300 free SMS per month)
Tony Elumelu
This successful businessman and Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc made a personal donation of N1 billion to support the fight against COVID-19.
This is besides the N5 billion which was donated by UBA Group. While commenting on these donations, Elumelu said:
“We commend the efforts of governments and we are keen to partner and contribute our resources to the collective effort, that will ensure the response to the pandemic is swift and effective.”
The businessman is an economist and entrepreneur with investments in Heir Holdings, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Transcorp. He is also the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. He has a net worth of about $900 million as of January 2020.
(READ MORE: COVID-19: Lagos discharges 11 patients)
Jim Ovia
This billionaire also donated the sum of N1 billion. He is the founder of Visafone Communications Ltd which was later acquired by MTN. He currently serves as the Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc and has a net worth of $870 million.
Oba Otudeko
The chairman of FBN Holdings Plc and founder of Honeywell Group donated the sum of N1 billion to the CACOVID relief fund. The man has a net worth of over half a million dollars.
Segun Agbaje of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Herbert Wigwe of Access Bank have also donated N1 billion each.
God bless you all
Now the office has been burnt by fire.Thank God that none of my Brother’s sweat is among,south east be wise.
What really happened to the money, that our good citizen had donated to help our country,
Thanks may God pay you people double upon double. Amen
God bless you all in Jesus name
But we’ve not really seen the effect of this generosity, please what is happening to the money, Nigerian’s need an explanation.
But we’ve not really seen the effect of this generosity, please what is happening to the money, Nigerian’s need an explanation.
pls kindly save nigeria, we are hungry
All I see is AUDIO DONATIONS..
Pls where are the billions of Naira donated by our billionaires? People are hungry, the monies not getting to the people. What is happening?
Kindly give us something to eat from all this donations we’re hungry
I’m still worried about nigerian’s hunger despite all these huge amounts donated….!
Abeg oo oo oo na to go rub na wetting remain be dat
Good bless you abundantly as you assisting the peoples of Nigeria,this are the good leaders
Comment:Thnk u all for ur donation,but u ar advs 2 giv to those needed.but not govt,they prepare 2 liv themselve nd their childreen.but not we the citizen.
Thanks you all for your donate to help Nigerian may Almighty God bless you all.
Am use this opportunity to plead you all no any amount is too small please am very hungry 2218357718
Comment:please nigeria leaders hungry will kill us not covid-19 please help
Thanks you all, let me not hide my feelings my fellow Nigeria, help hungry Don finish my family, no amount is small,, 0028133066 access, Jon ogb i
There is something I want to tell our so-called billionaires and banks. If you people don’t pay attention to the people’s cries of hunger, they will keep coming out and the virus will keep spreading, and guess what- your businesses will fail! Bet me.
A man who act is likely to excel.From your benevolent spirit and generosity push in mind to contribute big in our government account to combat covid19,God will through…
Comment: thank us for our people in nigeria d almight god we bless us double double.
God bless you all and keep you.
The donated money should be spent on provision of medical infrastructure to enable people receive treatment in Nigeria.lt should not be put where snakes and rats will swallow.
Kudos to our public spirited men and ladies who helped the Masses.
Femi Omodara.
DO YOU NOT THINK YOU SHOULD GIVE MORE INFO BECAUSE IT SUCKS A LOT
If Oba has a net worth of half a million dollar, then where did he get the N1 billion he donated?
We comment policies of CBN Governor not allocating forex for importation of about 42 items which can be produced in this country. FG should encourage local production. So many items like Pharmaceutical products, food, sanitizer, mask etc. can be produced locally. Nafdac as a regulatory body has failed to encourage local manufacturers. There is so much delay in Nafdac for processing by manufacturers. We should not depend on other countries like China n India for finished goods. Only raw materials should be allowed to be imported. Now rice is produced locally bec of CBN initiative in time. Why not extend this to other products like Pharmaceuticals to generate employment and saving foreign exchange.
way the people inter the problem in the nepe of the country
Hello sir I need money help my parents, am very poor I need money to solve the problem if are see like 5,000 am ok with it
Pls sir i am an NCE Holder, all what i need is your influencial assistance to get employ in any sector. Please assist me sir.
NASA o I just dey see these monied o where he come enter now cos me I dey look for money to start my farm cos food no dey this country at all