The Aliko Dangote Foundation has unveiled a new initiative that will give eligible Nigerian students an opportunity to acquire additional shares in Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP) at no extra cost.

Under the Student Share Grant Initiative, students aged 18 and above attending recognised public and private tertiary institutions across Nigeria can qualify for 10 additional refinery shares after subscribing to a minimum of 10 shares and successfully completing the required verification process.

The programme is connected to the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and is designed to introduce young Nigerians to investment opportunities, financial responsibility and long-term wealth creation.

Chairman of the Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, explained that empowering young people should go beyond providing access to education. He noted that they also need the financial knowledge and opportunities to participate meaningfully in economic activities and wealth creation.

He said the initiative was developed to help students appreciate the importance of saving, responsible investment and ownership, while encouraging them to cultivate sound financial habits early in life.

Dangote further explained that exposing young people to investment opportunities could shape their financial decisions and encourage greater participation in the formal economy.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, described the initiative as an opportunity to combine financial education with practical experience in the capital market.

According to her, the programme will enable participating students to understand the different stages of investing, including verification, subscription, share allotment and ownership.

She added that the Foundation hopes the experience will encourage young Nigerians to develop a lasting interest in financial literacy, investment and asset ownership, providing them with useful knowledge for future financial decisions.

To benefit from the initiative, interested students must first complete the verification process through the Foundation's designated platform. Verified applicants will subsequently be directed to the subscription channel, where they can apply for at least 10 DPRP shares in their own names.

Following the required subscription, the Foundation will fund an application for an additional 10 shares for each eligible beneficiary at no additional cost.

The Foundation, however, clarified that the grant is strictly for the participating student and cannot be used to acquire shares on behalf of another person. It also cannot be transferred to purchases involving other Dangote companies or unrelated businesses.

It further emphasised that the Student Share Grant Initiative is an independent Foundation programme created to encourage financial education and responsible participation in investment activities.

While encouraging interested students to explore the opportunity, the Foundation stressed that participation is voluntary and should not be regarded as financial advice or an endorsement of the refinery's shares.

Prospective participants have therefore been advised to carefully examine the relevant IPO documentation, understand the terms and associated investment risks, and make informed decisions before subscribing.

The initiative represents an effort to introduce more young Nigerians to the workings of the capital market by connecting financial education with practical investment experience.