TY Danjuma Leads $3.75m Drive to Rebuild Government College Katsina-Ala

Billionaire philanthropist and retired army general Theophilus Danjuma is spearheading a ₦5 billion fundraising drive to rehabilitate Government College Katsina-Ala, one of Benue State’s historic secondary schools, after decades of infrastructural decay.

Nigerian billionaire Theophilus “TY” Danjuma is leading a ₦5 billion ($3.75 million) fundraising campaign to restore Government College Katsina-Ala, a historic educational institution in Benue State facing years of neglect and deteriorating infrastructure.

The fundraising event, organised by the Katsina-Ala Old Boys Association (KAOBA), is scheduled for October 19 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. Governors, prominent business leaders and traditional rulers with historical connections to the school are expected to attend.

The initiative seeks to mobilise private-sector support to rehabilitate the institution, modernise its academic facilities and restore its standing as a centre of educational excellence.

Alumni Turn to Private Funding to Save Historic School

KAOBA National President Anthony Adda said the alumni association had decided to take the initiative after repeated difficulties in securing government funding for the school’s rehabilitation.

According to Adda, the institution, founded in 1915, has experienced decades of inadequate maintenance, leaving important academic facilities in a state of deterioration.

He warned that without substantial investment, the school risked losing the infrastructure and educational standards that once distinguished it.

Danjuma, himself an alumnus, began supporting the school’s rehabilitation three years ago by financing the complete renovation of its five student dormitories.

However, while the restoration of the dormitories improved students’ living conditions, the academic blocks and other essential facilities remain in urgent need of attention.

Adda said some classrooms currently in use had already existed when he entered the school as a student in 1967.

“Nobody has touched them,” he said, describing the extent of the deterioration.

The association hopes Danjuma’s renewed involvement will encourage other alumni, business leaders and private donors to contribute towards rebuilding the school.

₦5bn Target to Modernise Academic Facilities

The fundraising campaign is expected to support structural rehabilitation, modern teaching facilities and essential utilities across the school’s grounds.

The proposed intervention reflects a broader effort to mobilise private capital for educational infrastructure where public funding has proved insufficient.

For Government College Katsina-Ala, the immediate priority is to move beyond the restoration of residential facilities and address the condition of classrooms and other academic buildings.

The association is also seeking to rally younger generations of alumni around the project, encouraging them to invest in preserving the institution’s legacy.

If successful, the campaign could provide a foundation for a more comprehensive rehabilitation of the school and improve the learning environment for future students.

Who Is TY Danjuma?

Danjuma, who turned 87 in December 2025, is one of Nigeria’s prominent businessmen and philanthropists.

A retired army general and former Chief of Army Staff, he served as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003.

His business interests include South Atlantic Petroleum, an oil exploration and production company, as well as maritime logistics through NAL-Comet.

He has also been associated with investments in Notore Chemical Industries, Japaul Gold & Ventures and May & Baker Nigeria, alongside interests in real estate and hospitality.

Through the TY Danjuma Foundation, he has supported initiatives focused on healthcare and basic education, particularly in underserved communities.

His support for Government College Katsina-Ala represents a direct investment in an institution that formed part of his own educational journey.

A Test of Private-Sector Support for Education

The fundraising campaign highlights the role alumni networks and private philanthropy can play in rehabilitating schools struggling with ageing infrastructure and limited resources.

It also raises questions about the long-term sustainability of educational institutions that depend heavily on donations to maintain essential facilities.

For KAOBA, the ₦5 billion target is an opportunity to bring together influential alumni, private investors and other stakeholders around a common goal: restoring Government College Katsina-Ala to a standard worthy of its history.

The October 19 event in Abuja is expected to be a critical step in mobilising the financial support required to advance that ambition.

Beyond the fundraising target, the larger challenge will be ensuring that the money raised translates into durable infrastructure, improved teaching facilities and lasting educational benefits for generations of students.

Source - Shore Africa