By Ayomide Otitoju
Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser Limited have donated school materials worth N241 million to 3,704 students in host communities in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, as part of ongoing efforts to support education and community development.
The donation was unveiled during the sixth edition of the Dangote Scholarship Award Programme, where school bags, uniforms, sandals, and sanitary materials were distributed to 1,348 primary school pupils across five schools and 2,356 secondary school students in four schools. The initiative is aimed at improving access to quality education and enhancing learning conditions in the communities.
Speaking at the event, Vice President, Oil and Gas, Edwin Devakumar, reiterated the group’s commitment to education as a driver of societal transformation. He noted that since the scholarship programme was launched in 2019, it has expanded steadily despite a pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Devakumar disclosed that 442 students are benefiting from the 2025 scholarship cycle. He outlined the programme’s growth, noting that 56 secondary school students benefited in 2019, while the initiative resumed in 2021 with 138 beneficiaries, including 117 secondary and 19 tertiary students.
He added that 460 students were supported in 2022, rising to 469 in 2023 and 473 in 2024. For 2025, the programme is supporting 442 students, comprising 410 secondary and 32 tertiary beneficiaries.
According to him, the company’s social investments extend beyond scholarships to skills development and employment opportunities. He revealed that 22 youths from host communities recently completed certification programmes with City & Guilds of London Institute in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, with 19 already employed within the organisation.
Devakumar said the group’s approach aligns business success with community prosperity, noting that the initiatives contribute to broader development goals such as quality education, poverty reduction, and inclusive economic growth.
The programme also received support from the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which distributed additional school kits to beneficiaries.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Lekki Local Council Development Area, Engr. Rasaki Bamidele Kasali, commended the intervention, describing it as impactful and timely. He, however, appealed for similar initiatives to be extended to neighbouring communities.
Similarly, the Onilekki of Lekki Land, Oba Kazeem Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun, praised the company’s consistency, noting that its interventions have improved livelihoods and strengthened community relations over the years.
Beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the initiative. One of the vocational graduates described the programme as transformative, highlighting its role in securing employment, while another beneficiary said it had inspired him to pursue further education.
The Dangote Group reaffirmed its commitment to aligning its business growth with the development of host communities, with continued focus on education, skills acquisition, and inclusive opportunities.
