The Zamfara State Government has approved a scheme to provide 36,176 residents with shares in the Dangote Group as part of efforts to expand access to investment opportunities and promote economic empowerment.

The state Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Relief Matters disclosed that the programme would enable beneficiaries to participate in the private sector and gain access to investment opportunities through the Dangote Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Under the arrangement, each beneficiary is expected to receive approximately 20 shares, with the initiative being implemented in collaboration with the state ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Finance, alongside the Zamfara Investment Company.

The programme will be coordinated by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Salisu Musa Tsafe Kainuwa.

According to the ministry, beneficiaries will be selected from the state’s 14 local government areas. Thirteen local governments are expected to have 2,261 beneficiaries each, while Gusau, the state capital, will accommodate 4,522 beneficiaries.

The ministry added that persons with disabilities would also benefit from the scheme to ensure that the programme reaches residents across different segments of society.

It attributed the approval to Governor Dauda Lawal, describing the initiative as part of the administration’s efforts to improve financial inclusion and strengthen residents’ capacity to achieve economic independence.

The government said the share allocation programme forms part of its broader humanitarian intervention and economic empowerment agenda. It also indicated that additional initiatives targeting women and young people would be unveiled.

However, details of the proposed investment remain unclear, as the ministry’s claims regarding the number of shares and the financial arrangements could not be independently verified as of the time of reporting.

The announcement did not specify the price of each share, the total amount the state government intends to invest or the process through which the shares would be allocated to beneficiaries.