By Ayomide Otitoju
In a renewed push to support education and empower communities, Dangote Cement Plc, a leading Pan-African cement manufacturer, has donated multi-million-naira worth of learning materials to public schools in Lagos State. The initiative, part of the company’s annual educational empowerment programme, underscores its long-standing commitment to improving access to quality education and fostering social progress.
The donation event, held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, took place at Boys Junior Academy, Girls Junior Academy, Ebute Elefun Junior High School, and Epetedo Junior High School, all located on Lagos Island under Education District III.
Representing Dangote Cement Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, the Group Head of Social Performance, Wakeel Olayiwola, led the presentation of 1,000 school bags, 1,000 dozen 60-leaf notebooks, and 1,000 mathematical sets to students, drawing cheers from pupils and teachers alike.
Olayiwola said the gesture went beyond distributing school supplies, emphasizing the company’s belief in education as a catalyst for transformation.
“This initiative reflects our deep conviction that every child deserves the tools to learn, grow, and dream,” he said. “Education is the cornerstone of progress — it opens doors, builds character, and lays the foundation for a brighter future.”
He added that the programme forms part of Dangote Cement’s social investment strategy, complementing past interventions such as the provision of solar inverters for computer rooms, school desks, computers, and the renovation of science laboratories and libraries in selected schools.
Olayiwola expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Ministry of Education, District III, and educators for their support, describing the effort as an investment in both the academic success of young learners and the nation’s long-term prosperity.
Addressing the students, he encouraged them to see the donated items as symbols of hope and opportunity:
“Use them well. Study hard. Dream big and know that you have a community that believes in your potential,” he urged.
Also speaking, Dr. James Adenuga, Group Chief, HSSE & Sustainability, Dangote Industries Limited, said the outreach was part of the company’s continuous effort to identify and address the most pressing needs of communities across Nigeria.
“We go where the biggest needs are, with no discriminatory approach,” Adenuga stated. “This year, we focused on direct impact — reaching students and families, boosting morale, and giving them reasons to smile.”
He explained that Dangote’s sustainability team works closely with stakeholders, including schools, parents, and local authorities, to ensure that every intervention delivers meaningful impact.
The principals of the beneficiary schools — Mrs. Bello Afolake (Girls Junior Academy), Mr. Sobanke Rafiu (Boys Junior Academy), Mr. Kayode Ajala (Ebute Elefun Junior High School), and Mr. Taiwo Fatai (Epetedo Junior High School) — expressed gratitude to Dangote Cement for the unprecedented gesture. They lauded the company’s consistent partnership with schools and its commitment to nurturing future leaders through educational support.
The donation further strengthens Dangote Cement’s reputation as a socially responsible corporate leader investing in the growth and development of Nigeria’s youth.
