The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), in collaboration with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited, has distributed school uniforms, bags, sandals and writing materials to 1,323 primary school pupils in its host communities in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, under its education support programme.
Pupils, including children with special needs, benefited from the five-day distribution exercise under the first phase of the intervention. Beneficiary schools include Local Government Primary School, Ilege; Okunraye Community Primary School; Idotun Community Primary School; Olomowewe Community Primary School; and Lekki Community Primary School.
According to a statement by the Internal Communication Specialist at Dangote Industries Limited, Abiodun Alade, the programme will extend to secondary schools, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under the first phase to 3,704 students across four secondary and five primary schools.
In addition to the distribution of learning materials, the Foundation disclosed that 443 students including 33 in tertiary institutions will receive scholarships, alongside vocational training programmes for youths in the host communities.
Long-term investment in education
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the initiative reflects the vision of its founder, Aliko Dangote, to invest in education and nurture future leaders.
She described education as the most powerful tool for transforming lives and communities, noting that the intervention aims to reduce the burden on parents and give pupils in host communities a fair opportunity to learn and succeed.
“We believe education remains the most powerful tool for transforming lives and communities. This intervention is not just about uniforms, bags or writing materials, it is about giving every pupil in our host communities a fair opportunity to learn and succeed by reducing the burden on parents. Our commitment is long term. By investing in these children today, we are investing in future leaders who will shape Nigeria’s tomorrow,” she said.
Speaking further on the scope of the programme, the Head of Social Performance at Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, Mojisola Ogunleye, described education as a key pillar of the company’s community development strategy, disclosing that the second phase of the intervention will cover scholarships and the distribution of textbooks and additional learning materials.
Ms Ogunleye added that 443 students have been selected for scholarships, comprising 33 students of tertiary institutions and 410 secondary school students.
She added that 22 youths from the host communities who possess Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) qualifications have been upskilled through the City & Guilds Certification Programme in Electrical Engineering (Levels 1, 2 and 3). The participants, according to her, will be officially presented with certificates issued by the institution in London.
Community impact
The Head Teacher of Local Government Primary School, Ilege, Adenigba Aderemi, commended the Foundation for the intervention, noting that many pupils previously struggled with inadequate learning materials and worn-out uniforms.
She said the gesture would improve enrolment and classroom participation, explaining that some children had dropped out due to the embarrassment of wearing torn uniforms, while others engaged in menial jobs to afford basic school supplies.
“This is a big burden that has been taken off the shoulders of many parents. There will be improved enrolment. Many pupils will return to school because of this gesture,” she added.
She described the intervention as a major boost to education in the community and urged other organisations to emulate the initiative.
The programme has also provided economic opportunities for residents. Ms Aminat Aderonke Salabu, one of the local tailors engaged to produce the uniforms, praised the Foundation for awarding the contracts within the host communities.
According to her, the engagement has significantly improved her income and enabled her to advance her personal building project.
One of the local tailors engaged to produce the uniforms, Aderonke Salabu, praised the Foundation for awarding the contracts within the host communities, saying the programme has provided economic opportunities for residents.
According to her, the engagement has significantly improved her income and enabled her to advance her personal building project.
“I have started developing a self-contained apartment and a shop on a quarter of the plot that I got from the profit I made from the first phase,” she said while she appreciated the Foundation for the empowerment and support.
