How Dangote’s N241m Education Intervention is Transforming Learning in Ibeju-Lekki

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited recently donated school materials worth N241 million to 3,704 students in host communities in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, as part of efforts to support education and promote inclusive community development. Funmi Ogundare reports that the intervention reflects a broader commitment to improving access to learning and ensuring that industrial growth delivers social benefits

In a strategic move to deepen access to education and strengthen community development, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited donated school materials valued at N241 million to 3,704 students across host communities in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

The intervention, unveiled during the sixth Dangote scholarship award programme, underscores the growing recognition of education as a critical pillar for sustainable development, particularly in rapidly industrialising communities where economic expansion must be balanced with social inclusion.

Bridging learning gaps through social investment

The initiative involved distributing school bags, uniforms, sandals, and sanitary materials to 1,348 primary school pupils in five schools, as well as to 2,356 secondary school students across four schools. Beyond providing basic learning materials, the intervention aims to address barriers to school attendance and improve the overall learning environment for students in the host communities.

For many families in Ibeju-Lekki, where major industrial projects have reshaped livelihoods and settlement patterns, such interventions offer not only educational support but also a sense of inclusion in the broader economic transformation unfolding in the region.

Education as catalyst for community transformation

Speaking at the event, Vice-President, Oil and Gas at the Dangote Group, Edwin Devakumar, reaffirmed the organisation’s belief in education as a catalyst for societal progress, saying, “The scholarship scheme, launched in 2019, has steadily expanded in reach and impact, supporting hundreds of students annually despite a temporary pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He disclosed that 442 students are benefiting from the 2025 scholarship cycle, reflecting the programme’s continued evolution and the company’s sustained commitment to human capital development.

Beyond scholarships, the initiative has also focused on vocational training and employment pathways. Notably, 22 youths from host communities recently completed City and Guilds of London Institute certification programmes in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, with 19 already employed by the company.

“This integration of education, skills acquisition and job placement highlights a development model that seeks to move beneficiaries from dependency to self-reliance, while simultaneously addressing local capacity gaps in technical fields,” Devakumar stated.

He restated the organisation’s community development philosophy, saying that it is anchored on the belief that business success must go hand in hand with the prosperity of host communities.

“Education and skills initiatives align with global development priorities focused on quality education, poverty reduction and the creation of decent work opportunities,” said Devakumar.

He urged scholarship recipients to take advantage of the support provided to pursue academic excellence and contribute meaningfully to the development of their families, communities and the nation.

Community voices and the call for expansion

Community leaders described the intervention as both timely and impactful. The Executive Chairman of Lekki Local Council Development Area, Rasaki Bamidele Kasali, lauded the organisation’s sustained investments in host communities while appealing for similar initiatives to be extended to neighbouring areas.

The Onilekki of Lekki Land, Oba Kazeem Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun, noted that the company’s consistent interventions over the years have strengthened community relations and positively impacted livelihoods.

“Our communities are happy with what Dangote has been doing over the past six to seven years. We encourage them to sustain these efforts, and we will continue to support initiatives that have a human face and promote community development,” he said.

Life-changing opportunities for beneficiaries

For beneficiaries, the programme represents more than material support; it offers renewed hope and pathways to socio-economic mobility. Graduates of the vocational training initiative, including Yusiot Taiwo and Saheed Olukayode, described the opportunity as transformative, saying it has not only enhanced their employability but also inspired them to pursue further education and personal development.

“The programme has renewed our aspirations and motivated us to further our education,” they said, while commending the organisation for the support.

Aligning business growth with inclusive development

As large-scale industrial projects continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic landscape, the Dangote Group reiterated its commitment to ensuring that its business growth aligns with the prosperity of its host communities, with a continued focus on education, skills development, and inclusive opportunities.

“By investing in foundational learning, skills development and employment opportunities, the Dangote Group is contributing to broader development priorities such as poverty reduction, inclusive economic growth and improved educational outcomes,” the organisation stated.