For Nigeria’s billionaire elite, the EID season is a time for visible commitment to community. Beyond the scale of their enterprises, their presence in mosques, at prayer grounds and within gatherings of faith speaks to a deeper identity. Oghenovo Egodo-Michael takes at how some Nigerian billionaires make the season count

Aliko Dangote

The founder and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has built a reputation defined not only by enterprise but also by an enduring devotion to faith. His influence stretches across industries and those familiar with his journey often point to a foundation laid long before business came into the picture.

Born into a deeply rooted Muslim family in Kano, Dangote’s early life was shaped by religious discipline and structured learning. He began his education at Sheikh Ali Kumasi Madrasa, where Islamic teachings were a way of life. He later attended Capital High School in Kano and proceeded to Government College, Birnin Kudu, for his secondary education. However, it was his academic journey beyond Nigeria that further deepened his spiritual grounding. In 1978, he travelled to Egypt to study at Al-Azhar University, one of the most prestigious centres of Islamic learning in the world.

Despite the scale of his success, Dangote has maintained a relationship with faith that is neither performative nor distant. He prioritises religious obligations, observing prayers and participating in key Islamic activities with consistency. During festive periods such as Eid, he is known to immerse himself in the communal spirit, attending prayers and hosting or supporting gatherings that reflect the essence of the season. Sometimes, he organises get together with fellow billionaires and friends.

Beyond personal devotion, Dangote’s role within his community sometimes extends into that of a moral guide. He has been seen at weddings and significant family ceremonies, not merely as a guest but as a respected figure whose presence carries spiritual weight. In certain instances, he assumes a fatherly role, performing rites, offering counsel and support in a manner that reflects cultural tradition and religious responsibility.

His journey illustrates a blend of faith and ambition. While his business empire continues to expand across Africa, the values instilled through his Islamic upbringing remain evident in the way he engages with people and the responsibilities he chooses to uphold.

Sayyu Dantata

As the founder and CEO of MRS Holdings Ltd, Sayyu Dantata’s place within Nigeria’s business elite is firmly established, yet his heritage as a descendant of the legendary Alhassan Dantata continues to define much of his outlook.

The Dantata name carries a history that predates modern corporate structures, rooted in trade, philanthropy and a long standing commitment to Islam. Within that tradition is a well known culture of sponsoring Hajj pilgrimages, a practice that has connected generations of families to one of Islam’s most important rites.

Sayyu Dantata has remained aligned with this legacy. Beyond corporate leadership, he is known for sustaining the family’s philanthropic footprint, particularly in ways that support religious obligations for others. During Islamic seasons, his presence is often felt in the quiet facilitation of opportunities for worship.

In many ways, his story is less about reinvention and more about stewardship. It preserves a heritage where faith and prosperity have always moved side by side.

Abdulsamad Rabiu

For Abdulsamad Rabiu, faith is something inherited, but also consciously preserved. As the founder and Chairman of the BUA Group, his rise within Nigeria’s industrial landscape reflects discipline and echoes the environment in which he was raised.

He Is the son of Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu, a prominent Kano based industrialist and devout Muslim whose life combined enterprise with strong religious commitment having grown up in the home of a Quranic preacher who led his own Quranic school. Growing up in that environment meant that business and faith were closely intertwined, shaping Rabiu’s worldview from an early age.

Educated in Nigeria and abroad, he has maintained that balance over the years. While expanding BUA Group across cement, sugar and infrastructure, he has also sustained a consistent presence within the Muslim community.

His philanthropic efforts often become more visible during Ramadan, when he supports large scale food distribution and religious institutions through his foundation. During Eid, he engages with community and religious leaders, supporting gatherings that reflect both celebration and spiritual gratitude.

This year, he has been carrying his social circle along on his Ramadan activities. A picture on one of his Facebook posts from March 18, 2026 showed him having an intimate gathering with Aliko Dangote and other close associates. Alongside pictures that showed them having Iftar to break their fast, he wrote, “Ramadan 18 — Honoured to host some of my closest friends for Iftar at home in Lagos. Grateful that my brother Aliko joined us along with others. May our bonds continue to grow stronger.”

He also made an earlier post on February 20 that showed the moment he was in the mosque. “Ramadan Day 3— Once again at the mosque, blessed,” he wrote.

Rabiu’s journey reflects a steady expression of faith rooted in discipline and continuity. Even as his business influence grows, the values instilled in him early in life remain evident in the way he engages with his community.

Dahiru Mangal

In Northern Nigeria’s economic and religious landscape, the founder of Max Air and Mangal Industries, Dahiru Mangal, has built a reputation that moves into influence shaped by faith. His ventures’have placed him at the centre of commerce, yet his imprint on religious life is equally significant.

Mangal’s background is rooted in Katsina, where Islamic scholarship and traditional structures of learning remain deeply embedded in everyday life.

Over time, he has become one of the most prominent patrons of religious scholarship in the region, with his lifestyle reflecting the Islamic value of sharing through consistent acts of giving and community support.

These gatherings serve as spaces of learning, reflection and community bonding that reinforce values extending beyond the season. During Eid, his role often shifts into that of a host and supporter, ensuring that celebration is accompanied by access and inclusion for many within his reach.

Even though he is not very active on social media, many of his old Facebook posts surrounded conversations about Hajj.

Through this, Mangal’s influence reflects a deliberate commitment to sustaining knowledge and strengthening faith within the communities that shaped him.

Mohammed Indimi

The founder and Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources, Mohammed Indimi, is another notable personality that has built a formidable presence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. His foundation was laid in the modest setting of Borno State.

His early years were shaped by traditional Qur’anic education, where discipline was strict and life revolved around routine devotion. That experience instilled values that defined his approach to both business and philanthropy.

As his enterprise expanded, Indimi remained closely connected to those roots. He established the Mohammed Indimi Foundation, which focuses on supporting vulnerable families through poverty alleviation, the fight against hunger, illiteracy and health challenges. Through the foundation, he has sponsored indigenes of Borno State to study at the International University of Africa on scholarship.

Through the foundation, his interventions have been particularly significant in response to the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. He supported internally displaced persons with housing, food, clothing, schools and healthcare facilities. He also facilitated the construction of a 100 unit housing estate in Borno State for displaced families, as well as another residential development in Akwa Ibom State. In addition, he has awarded hundreds of scholarships in Akwa Ibom and supported academic programmes at the University of Uyo.

His contributions often extend to mosque development, educational support and humanitarian interventions, especially during Ramadan. During Eid, his engagement reflects both celebration and responsibility, as he connects with communities in ways that mirror his own upbringing.

Social media posts by some close associates have captured some snippets from his time in the muslim holy city, Makka, Saudi Arabia.

Tunde Folawiyo

In the layered social fabric of Lagos, Tunde Folawiyo occupies a position shaped by both inheritance and intention. As the Managing Director of the Yinka Folawiyo Group, he leads a legacy business, but his identity within the Muslim community carries equal significance.

He Is the son of Wahab Folawiyo, revered as Baba Adini of Nigeria, a title that reflects service to Islam and leadership within the Lagos Muslim community.

Growing up within that environment meant that responsibility to faith was lived and visible. Over the years, Tunde Folawiyo has continued in that tradition. His involvement in religious institutions, community development and key Islamic events reflects a sustained commitment to uphold the role his father once played.

During Eid and other significant moments, his presence is symbolic and functional, reinforcing ties within a community that values continuity. (Sunday PUNCH, excluding headline)

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