There was great excitement on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, when Dangote Cement Plc at Obajana and the Jakura community signed a historic agreement. This Community Development Agreement (CDA) will allow Dangote to carry out community projects over the next five years.
The agreement with Jakura is one of several CDAs the company has signed with communities where it operates. These agreements help bring social and economic development projects to the people.
At the signing event, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement in Obajana, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin (represented by Engr. John Gwong), said the agreement follows Nigeria’s Minerals and Mining laws from 2007 and 2011.
He added that the agreement shows the company’s strong commitment to helping and improving the Jakura community.
He also said, “We believe being a good neighbor makes good business sense, so we always try to have a peaceful relationship with our host communities.”
The Plant Director called for support from both state and local governments. He said they plan to work with relevant state agencies to carry out the projects mentioned in the agreement.
He explained that a special team will be created to manage and carry out the plans in the agreement.
Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, Group Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement, said the agreement followed the correct steps based on the 2023 updated CDA guidelines.
He said even though the year is almost over, the company will start working on the projects soon. He promised that the company will continue building a strong relationship with the community.
Mr. James Adenuga, Group Head of Health, Safety, Social, Environment & Sustainability at Dangote Industries, said the company is responsible and wants to keep its good standing with the communities.
Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, General Manager of Social Performance at Obajana, thanked the Jakura community for their support and cooperation during the drafting of the agreement.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, praised Dangote Cement for being a responsible company. He urged the community to continue living peacefully with the company.
Representing the Minister, Mrs. Bimbo Olaoye said the government will keep supporting Dangote’s operations, helping it create jobs and run social programmes.
Other government officials at the event agreed with this view. These included Engr. Olufemi Olaitan from the Federal Ministry, Mrs. Atinuke Onimode from Kogi State, and lawmakers Mrs. Omotayo Ishaya and Mr. Jibril Abu.
Speaking for the community, the Obaro of Jakura, HRH Usman Ajibola Adoga, said, “This is a dream come true.” He mentioned that some people who hoped for this day are no longer alive and that this agreement will bring big changes to the community.
He also praised Dangote Cement for its ongoing support of many communities in Kogi State.
The Olu of Apata, HRH Frederick Balogun, called Mr. Aliko Dangote a blessing. He promised that the communities will remain peaceful and act as ambassadors for the Dangote Group.
Hon. Danjuma Muhammad Abubakar, representing the Lokoja Local Government Chairman, said the people of Kogi will continue to support and speak well of Mr. Dangote because of all he has done for them.
