IPO: University students hail Dangote Foundation’s free share initiative
…Foundation engages campus journalists on IPO
By Udeme Akpan
University students across Nigeria have welcomed the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Student Share Grant Initiative, describing it as an opportunity to participate in wealth creation and gain practical investment experience through the ongoing Initial Public Offering, IPO, of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, DPRP.
As part of efforts to raise awareness and deepen financial literacy among young Nigerians, the Foundation, over the weekend, held an online engagement with campus journalists from tertiary institutions across the country.
The session focused on the Dangote Refinery IPO, the importance of financial education, responsible investing and opportunities available through Nigeria’s capital market.
Under the Student Share Grant Initiative, eligible students aged 18 and above in public and private tertiary institutions can receive free DPRP shares after purchasing a minimum of 10 shares through the dedicated platform, ipo.alikodangotefoundation.org. For every qualifying subscription, the Foundation provides an additional 10 shares at no extra cost to the student.
The programme is designed to introduce young Nigerians to investing early in life while promoting financial literacy, ownership and long-term wealth creation.
The initiative has generated interest across campuses, with students describing it as an opportunity to become shareholders in one of Africa’s major industrial projects while gaining practical knowledge of investment.
Speaking on the initiative, Amaechi Rosemary, a student of the University of Ibadan, said the programme had made investing more accessible to students.
“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.
Emmanuel Ndah, also of the University of Ibadan, described the initiative as both educational and empowering.
“Owning shares in a world-class refinery is exciting. 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.
Similarly, Moshood Muheeb of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said the initiative demonstrated confidence in the ability of Nigerian youths to build wealth responsibly.
“This programme sends a strong message that students are not too young to invest. The support provided by the Foundation makes the opportunity even more attractive and encourages young people to start planning for their financial future,” he said.
Esther Olatunji of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said the initiative could encourage students to take investing and financial planning more seriously.
“This is more than a share offer. It is an opportunity to learn about ownership, financial discipline and long-term wealth creation. Programmes like this can inspire students to develop healthy investment habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,” she said.
The students also noted that the initiative had generated conversations around investing, saving and asset ownership on campuses, potentially broadening awareness of financial planning among young Nigerians.
Eligible students enrolled in recognised tertiary institutions can visit the Foundation’s dedicated platform to complete the verification process. Following successful verification, participants can subscribe for a minimum of 10 DPRP shares and qualify for an additional 10 shares funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
According to the Foundation, the initiative is a stand-alone programme designed to encourage investment participation among Nigerian youths and help develop a generation of financially informed investors with a stake in the country’s economic future.
Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said the initiative aligned with the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young people beyond traditional educational support.
“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. Through this initiative, we want students to understand the value of saving, investing wisely and building wealth through ownership,” he said.
Dangote said exposing young people to investment opportunities early could positively influence their financial decisions and encourage greater participation in the formal economy.
“When young people understand ownership and investing from an early stage, they are better equipped to make sound financial decisions, build wealth responsibly and contribute to national development,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, said the programme combined financial education with practical investment experience.
“Financial literacy becomes more meaningful when individuals can apply what they learn. This initiative enables students to experience the investment process firsthand, from verification and subscription to share ownership, while reinforcing the importance of responsible participation in the capital market,” she said.
Youssoufou added that the Foundation’s objective extended beyond the current IPO.
“We hope to inspire a lifelong interest in investing, financial literacy and asset ownership among young Nigerians. The experience and knowledge gained through this programme can serve as a foundation for sound financial decision-making throughout their lives,” she said.
The Student Share Grant Initiative forms part of the Foundation’s broader youth empowerment and economic inclusion efforts, encouraging students to embrace saving, investing, entrepreneurship and long-term wealth creation.
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