How Multi-billion Naira CSR Projects Transform Communities

Our correspondents, BY FELIX IGBEKOYI, NNAMDI MBAWIKE, IBRAHIM OBANSA, ABU NMODU, ADEBAYO WAHEED, RICHARD NDOMA, ACHOR ABIMANE, EMMANUEL MGBEAHURIKE and KALU EZIYI report on how communities are benefiting from companies’ social responsibility initiatives

Many institutions and communities are generously benefiting from corporate support from companies operating in their neighbourhoods. These are often a form of goodwill toward the people whose land they are hosted on, just as such companies also enjoy mutual support from their hosts.

The kind gesture may range from scholarship offers to building healthcare facilities, building schools, to providing boreholes, roads, infrastructure, and human capital development.

In Delta State, for instance, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has donated a fully equipped Neonatal Ward and a renovated ICU at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

In addition, the facility is supported by a 60KVA inverter system with an extra 30KVA backup, mechanical ventilators, surveillance cameras, an X-ray machine, and other critical equipment to ensure sustainability.

This, they said, is to address maternal and child deaths so as to strengthen care for newborns and critical patients in the area.

Nigeria accounts for 20 per cent of global maternal and child deaths, a reflection of its overstretched and unresourced healthcare system.

The initiative, part of NLNG’s multi-billion-naira Hospital Support Programme (HSP), underscores the urgent need for improved maternal and neonatal care in Nigeria, where preventable complications during childbirth remain a leading cause of death.

The managing director of the company, Dr Philip Mshelbila, said, “These facilities are not just infrastructure; they are lifelines. We are investing in precision, preparedness, and partnership to stem the tide of preventable deaths among mothers and children.”

Healthcare experts have long pointed to weak referral systems, poor emergency response capacity, and outdated infrastructure as key drivers of Nigeria’s high maternal and child mortality rates.

NLNG’s intervention aims to reverse these trends by providing world-class critical care environments equipped with recovery suites, automated doors, family lounges, and dedicated nurse stations to improve response times and patient outcomes.

The programme targets critical areas such as obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, and neurorehabilitation.

The chief medical director, Dr Victor Osiatuma, described the intervention as “a transparent, needs-driven project that will save countless lives.

“I can confidently say that every newborn brought here will receive complete care and will not be transferred elsewhere until they are discharged.”

Representing the host community, the Asagba of Asaba, HRM (Prof) Epiphany Azinge, highlighted the company’s long-term vision thus: “This is not charity, it is nation-building. It is about ensuring that no Nigerian child dies for lack of oxygen or basic intensive care.”

Nigeria’s healthcare indicators remain among the worst globally, with the World Health Organisation estimating that a woman dies every 13 minutes from pregnancy-related causes in the country.

“NLNG’s HSP provides a glimmer of hope, highlighting how focused, private-sector investment can create sustainable change when aligned with national health priorities.

“It is part of its long-term goal to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, especially in underserved regions. It is not just delivering equipment,” the Asagba added.

A patient, Deborah Anide, said that the unit was completely rebuilt, fully equipped, and piped with oxygen to ensure delivery to every baby, whether in a cot or incubator. She urged other private sector players to replicate such impact-oriented models.

In Enugu State, our investigation revealed that Ama Brewery, owned by Nigeria Brewery PLC, has been building civic centres, boreholes, and skills acquisition centres.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the host community of Ama Brewery, Ameke Ngwo, in Udi Local Government Area, has benefited greatly from the company.

As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, the company built boreholes and a civic centre for the host community.

Among other companies that have embarked on CSR in Enugu are Seven Up Bottling Company, Globacom, Shell, and Spectra Net.

Some residents of Ameke Ngwo community who spoke with our correspondent, including Emeka Eze and Juliana Igwe, expressed gratitude to Nigerian Breweries Plc for the projects, describing the interventions as impactful and timely in addressing critical community needs.

The residents described the projects as highly beneficial, noting that the interventions have eased daily challenges and reduced the community’s burden.

Another resident of the community, Ibekwe Aneke, noted that the projects have significantly reduced their socio-economic burdens as they used to trek several kilometres to get potable water, especially in the dry season, before the intervention.

In Kogi State, the two most viable mining industries, the Dangote Cement Company in Obajana, Lokoja local government area, and the Mangal Cement Factory in Iluhagba, have been giving back to the host communities, as attested to by the people.

Locals living in Obajana who spoke with one of our correspondents commended Dangote Cement Plc for its numerous support in ameliorating the plights of the people.

The four kingdoms who are the host communities said the Dangote Cement has liberated them from economic and social backwardness, adding that “like Oliver Twist, we are still asking for more.”

The Kingdoms are: Apata, Iwaa, Obajana, and Oyo, respectively. Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, His Royal Highness the Oba of Oyo Community, Solomon Obahawu, praised Dangote Cement for resettling them and for providing other utilities that have made their lives more meaningful.

According to him, some of these benefits include the provision of yearly scholarships running into millions of naira, the construction of a school and a hospital, and the construction of concrete roads.

Other support from Dangote Cement, he said, includes providing job opportunities for indigenes and awarding them contracts at the factory.

They said that only recently, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, and Jakura Community in Kogi State sealed a historic Community Development Agreement (CDA) that will enable the company to implement mutually agreed social projects over the next five years.

On his part, Oba Isenibi listed some of the benefits the communities have been enjoying from their partnership with the Dangote Group, including the Dangote Academy Training School, banks, roads, and an agro-sack factory.

In his submission, the Oba of Apata, Federick Balogun, said he would do everything possible to ensure that the Dangote investment in his territory was protected, adding that the company has provided employment, education, water and employment to his people.

The general manager, Community Affairs/Special Duties of the plant, Ademola Adeyemi, explained that the company’s policy is in alignment with the United Nations’ ideals of empowering the youth to enable them to play significant roles in the social and economic development of societies, saying this is in line with their CSR policy

Dangote Cement Plc also said it has carried out a poultry skill acquisition and empowerment programme for youths in its host communities in Kogi.

It added that 30 youths were drawn from the catchment areas of Oyo, Obajana, Iwaa, and Apata.

According to Adeyemi, another 40 women from Oyo, Obajana, Iwaa, and Apata have been empowered through skills-acquisition programmes organised by Dangote Cement Plc.

In October 2025, the Mangal Industry in Iluhagba, Ijumu local government area, also disbursed over N20 million worth of medical and educational materials to beneficiaries from Mopa and Iluhagba in Mopamuro and Ijumu local government areas, respectively.

This, it said, is in fulfilment of Section 116 of the 2007 Act, which transfers social and economic benefits to the host community, as part of the organisation’s obligation as a responsible entity that started operations about a year ago.

At the event, which was attended by representatives of the two host communities, the executive director, Alhaji Nasiru Ladan, who represented the managing director, commended the host communities for the cordial relationship that had provided a peaceful atmosphere for the company to operate.

In Niger State, some companies, especially sugar companies and hydroelectric power dams, have embarked on community social responsibility initiatives in health, education, and the environment.

Sunti Sugar Company in Mokwa local government area of the state has built and equipped a healthcare centre for the Kanzhi community, and also built four blocks of classrooms, offices, and modern toilets for the Kusogi community.

The company’s general manager, Mr Anlo Du Pisani, said the project was one of many earmarked as part of the company’s corporate social responsibilities and its license to operate within the area.

“We conducted an independent needs assessment of our host community and identified priority thematic areas for development and investment, and using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a reference,” he said.

Similarly, Mainstream Energy, the owner of the Zungeru, Jebba, and Kainji Dams, has established a foundation to enhance its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts in the immediate communities and beyond.

The company focuses on the areas of health, education, and environmental cum community empowerment for the communities.

Attempts to get specific projects proved abortive, as the company said it does not want publicity. However, the people of Kainji interviewed confirmed that the company has offered significant assistance to them, including scholarships and healthcare, since it took over as the dam’s owner.

Also, the North-South Company, the owner of the Shiroro Power Dam, embarked on environmental awareness programmes to address the perennial flooding in the host communities.

They have also intervened in health and education.

Also, Alumni associations of the Federal University of Technology Minna and IBB University Lapai, have intervened in the areas of providing teaching materials to their former schools and sometimes through established linkages.

In Oyo, companies such as the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) are partnering with the state government and local education institutions to promote academic excellence.

It collaborates with the government to foster a supportive business environment with emphasis on public-private dialogue for sustainability.

ChamsHoldCo also engages in CSR, while major players such as Oyo Rooms (the hospitality giant) have global initiatives like “OYO Reach” focusing on health, housing, and community aid, showing CSR in the Oyo region involves both local business collaboration and broader corporate programmes.

ChamsAccess, based in Lagos, has supported initiatives to improve Awoyaya Primary School’s learning environment, demonstrating a commitment to education that could extend to regions like Oyo.

Oyo (Hospitality): The hotel chain runs “OYO Reach,” a global CSR programme that includes activities such as providing shelter/food during crises, offering free stays to frontline workers, and increasing vaccine visibility, impacting communities where they operate.

Recently, also, the University of Ibadan (UI) signed a Deed of Gift for the donation of a research facility and a Memorandum of Understanding for the institution of scholarship scheme and an annual lecture for the development of teaching and learning with the International Energy Services Limited (IESL).

The chairman of IESL and UI Ambassador, Dr Diran Fawibe, who was at the university for the signing, was received by the deputy vice chancellor (Administration), Prof Peter Olapegba, on behalf of the vice chancellor, Prof Kayode Adebowale.

The research facility will be domiciled in the Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies with the Centre for Petroleum, Energy, Economics and Law as the primary beneficiary.

The scholarships are to be awarded annually to deserving students in the Departments of Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Economics.

The annual Diran Fawibe Lecture Series will address issues of national importance.

The chairman of International Energy Services Limited (IESL), Dr Fawibe, reiterated that the University of Ibadan shaped the professional he became, having benefited from scholarships awarded to him by the university.

He affirmed that UI has a prestigious history, and his undergraduate and postgraduate days in the university were beautiful periods in the history of education in Nigeria.

He said his motivation for giving back to his alma mater was the solid foundation he received at the university and the early career opportunities it offered him.

Fawibe stated that IESL is a leading indigenous energy services company established in 1990, with over 200 engineers, offering comprehensive engineering, technical, and project management services in oil and gas development across Africa.

He commended the university management for its active and proactive efforts to sustain the institution’s legacy and charged it to keep the flag flying and maintain the tradition of excellence for which the University of Ibadan is known.

The deputy vice chancellor appreciated Dr Fawibe for his past benefactions to the university and for his renewed efforts to empower future leaders of Nigeria.

He lauded the donor’s commitment to the university and recalled that upon his decoration as a UI@75 Ambassador, Dr Fawibe donated N20 million to the university and went ahead to intensify efforts with the management of IESL to fashion a sustainable benefaction for the university.

The DVC stated that the alumni as the owners of the university, needed to be engaged strategically adding that Fawibe’s initiative was an eye-opener which has enabled the university to intensify its efforts in reaching out to its alumni as partners in the development of the university.

In Cross River State, Lafarge Holdings, otherwise known as Lafarge Africa, has rolled out a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program in Mfamosing, Akamkpa Local Government Area.

A staff of Larfarge with the Community Relations Unit, Mr Inyang Inyang, told our correspondent that over the years, the company has spent hundreds of millions of naira on social projects in the area of  Infrastructure and the renovation of primary‑school blocks.

Other areas that the cement firm had impacted on their host community is the area of town hall meeting, construction of teachers’ quarters and a 20-kilometre road that links Mfamosing with Odukpani local government area of state, improving access for residents and the company’s trucks.

The firm has also drilled several boreholes in the locality.

The cement firm has also upgraded a health centre that runs free medical outreaches.

Under education and skills development, the firm has over the years awarded bursaries for about 100 secondary‑school students, donated desks and provided libraries.

The firm has also embarked on vocational training for youths in scaffolding, carpentry, fashion design, computer skills, poultry and feed‑making, while some beneficiaries received starter kits (including sewing machines and welding packs).

As part of its effort to support the community, the firm has trained several individuals in tailoring apprenticeship for 18 locals, provided cash assistance (N100,000 to four students), and made occasional donations of motorcycles or “Keke‑NAPEPs” to help youths start their small-scale and medium-sized enterprises.

Though the cement firm has spent much on community development, some community stakeholders have called for more to be spent, stressing that what the firm has spent has yet to have an impact on the host community of Mfamosing.

In Imo State, Seplat Petroleum, in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility, has made significant impact to rural dwellers, focusing on healthcare, education,  empowerment and infrastructure.

Their contributions include: ‘Eye Can See Programme,’ free eye care services, reading glasses to over 105,000 citizens and 4,560 surgeries.

The programme is coupled with the Safe Motherhood Initiative, which provides prenatal care and safe motherhood kits to pregnant women and nursing mothers, and education on safe motherhood projects.

Seplat Petroleum has also trained several youths in various skills, promoting entrepreneurship and enabling small-scale businesses.

They have also embarked on Infrastructure development, investing in roads, schools and healthcare delivery services.

The Seplat Petroleum Gas Plant project created over 1,000 jobs for the citizenry and enhanced power supply in the Izombe vicinity of the state.

One of the beneficiaries of the eye surgery programme, Uchenna Osuji, said Seplat has rescued him from the eye-related challenges he faced and expressed joy that the organisation has successfully remedied the situation.

Another resident of the Izombe community, who was offered employment, stressed that he can now feed his family and solve sundry problems with his salary, and urged the organisation to continue along these trajectories.

Alumni associations in Imo State are also making impressive impacts in the development of their alma mater and communities.

It is instructive to note that the Imo State University Alumni Association (IMSUAA) has installed solar streetlights on campus to improve security and safety.

The association also donated sanitation materials, including lawnmower machines and waste disposal bags, to the university authority.

Other initiatives include Digitally Compliant Office venture and equipping of 17 faculties with digital offices, made up of laptops, multifunctional printers and internet access facility.

The group provided scholarships for indigent students and gave financial support to indigent scholars.

They also provided mentorship programmes for students, coupled with guidance and support.

LEADERSHIP Sunday checks indicated that Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission has in line with its mandate been a leading light in delivering a wide range of community social responsibilities to not only the oil bearing communities in Ukwa West local government area but to other areas of the state.

The areas of emphasis include health, education, infrastructure, electricity, market, civic centres, town halls, peace and security, water supply and donations to charity homes.

Also, the Alumni Association of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) has been impacting the host community through skills acquisition, agricultural extension services, agri-solutions, and mentoring.

Apart from the normal engagements within the campus, Abia State University, Uturu, is undertaking a power project titled “Uturu Trans-S’East Gas Pipeline,” which is expected to be of immense assistance to the host community.

Similarly, NASCO Group Limited has trained over 100 youths in AI and digital skills to enable them to compete anywhere in the world.

The training is part of their long-standing commitment to youth development and to contribute to the conversation and action around youth empowerment, especially in the areas of entrepreneurship, education and employability.

The group general manager of NASCO Group, Alhaji Shehu Nyalun, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the goal is to equip young people with essential digital skills to be self-employed in the state.

Two of the beneficiaries, Julius Owobo and Julius Eluebe, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that they have learned to first identify roadblocks before chasing goals.

The duo appreciated the insights on understanding workplace policies and using AI tools creatively.

“We now see the importance of giving back to society,” they added.

Similarly, the University of Jos Alumni Association (UJAA), as part of its corporate social responsibility, has also provided support to the university’s sports programmes.

UJAA donated jerseys, basketballs and other sports accessories for the 27th NUGA Games held in December 2025.

The global president of UJAA, Dr Gad Shamaki, said the association further demonstrated its corporate social responsibility through various initiatives focused on infrastructure development, student support (scholarships and mentorship), community impact, and more.