The burial of Nigerian billionaire and elder statesman Aminu Dantata has been delayed in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, following the late arrival of his body and documentation issues.
Dantata died on Saturday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the age of 94. He was scheduled to be buried in the holy city of Madinah in accordance with his wishes, but the delay in transporting his remains disrupted the plans.
Nigeria’s minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, who is in Saudi Arabia, told BBC Hausa that Saudi regulations concerning the burial of foreigners led to the delay.
“The body arrived late, and burial could not be conducted without proper documentation,” he said, adding that once paperwork is completed, burial rites will resume.
Meanwhile, a funeral prayer in absentia (Salatul Ga’ib) was held for the late patriarch on Saturday at Umar Bin Khattab Mosque in Kano. The prayer, led by Islamic scholar Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, was attended by thousands, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Both the federal and Kano State governments have sent delegations to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences and help with arrangements. Authorities in the kingdom have approved that the burial take place in Madinah, a privilege granted to select Muslim faithful.
Aminu Dantata, one of the last surviving sons of legendary merchant Alhassan Dantata, was a major figure in Nigeria’s business scene. He made significant contributions to commerce, construction, agriculture and philanthropy, particularly in Northern Nigeria.