Students from universities and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria have welcomed the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s offer of free shares to eligible students, saying the initiative gives them an opportunity to learn about investing while getting a stake in a major Nigerian business. The Student Share Grant Initiative is linked to the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP).
Under the programme, students aged 18 and above who attend recognised public or private tertiary institutions can qualify for an additional 10 shares from the Foundation after purchasing at least 10 shares through its dedicated platform.
The initiative has already generated interest on campuses, with students describing it as an unusual opportunity to learn about the capital market by actually taking part in it.
The Foundation also recently held an online engagement with campus journalists from tertiary institutions across the country to explain the IPO and discuss financial literacy, responsible investing and opportunities available to young Nigerians in the capital market.
For Amaechi Rosemary, a student of the University of Ibadan, the initiative makes investing feel more accessible to students who may have previously considered shares beyond their reach.
“Many students hear about shares and investments but never imagine they can become shareholders while still in school,” she said.
Her colleague, Emmanuel Ndah, said the opportunity went beyond receiving additional shares because it also introduced students to the practical side of investing and financial responsibility.
Moshood Muheeb of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said the initiative was a reminder that young people could start thinking about building wealth while still in school.
“This programme sends a strong message that students are not too young to invest,” he said.
Esther Olatunji of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said the initiative could also encourage students to pay more attention to saving and financial planning.
She described it as an opportunity to learn about ownership and develop investment habits that could benefit students beyond their university years.
Speaking on the initiative, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Foundation, said empowering young people should go beyond providing access to education.
“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.
He said early exposure to investing could help young Nigerians make more informed financial decisions and participate more actively in the formal economy.
The Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Zouera Youssoufou, said the programme was designed to combine financial education with hands-on experience.
She said students would learn by going through the investment process themselves, from verification and subscription to share ownership.
According to the Foundation, the initiative is intended to create interest in investing beyond the current IPO and encourage young Nigerians to develop a long-term approach to saving, investing and building wealth.
Eligible students can complete the verification process through the Foundation’s dedicated IPO platform before subscribing for the minimum 10 shares required to qualify for the additional 10 shares.
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
