Nigerian tertiary institution students have been presented with an opportunity to take their first practical steps into the capital market through the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Student Share Grant Initiative.
The initiative, introduced alongside the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP), is open to eligible students of both public and private tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The programme is designed to promote financial inclusion, financial literacy and responsible participation in the capital market by introducing young Nigerians to saving, investing and asset ownership.
According to the Aliko Dangote Foundation, students who are at least 18 years old and successfully complete the required verification can participate by applying for a minimum of 10 DPRP shares through the Foundation’s designated platform.
For every qualifying student, the Foundation will make a separate application for an additional 10 DPRP shares on the student’s behalf at no cost to the student.
However, the initiative does not mean that students are automatically guaranteed 20 allotted shares. The Foundation states that both the student’s application and the additional application remain subject to the applicable IPO allotment process.
The opportunity is available to students in recognised public and private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Applicants are required to provide their institution, matriculation number and Bank Verification Number (BVN) for verification before proceeding with their subscription.
The initiative has attracted attention beyond the student community, with university students quoted in a recent Vanguard report describing it as an opportunity to gain practical investment experience and participate in wealth creation.
The Foundation says the initiative is intended 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.
The Dangote Refinery IPO opened on September 14, 2026, offering 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares valued at ₦5,250. The offer is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026. This deadline makes the timing particularly important for students who may wish to take advantage of the Foundation’s initiative before the IPO closes.
For students, therefore, the initiative represents more than an opportunity attached to a major IPO. It offers an introduction to a financial system that many young Nigerians encounter only much later in life.
At a time when financial literacy is becoming increasingly important among young people, initiatives that introduce students to the concepts of investment and ownership could help bridge the gap between learning about money and understanding how financial markets work.
Eligible students interested in the initiative can visit the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s dedicated Student Share Grant platform to confirm their eligibility and complete the required verification process.
With the IPO deadline set for October 13, students who qualify still have a limited window to participate in the initiative before the offer closes.