Joy and celebration enveloped Idotun Community Junior High School in Lekki on Thursday as Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, in partnership with Dangote Fertilizers Limited, awarded scholarships to 473 students from 10 secondary schools and 7 tertiary institutions. In addition, the company donated 804 desks and chairs to secondary schools in their host communities of Ibeju-Lekki.
The scholarships and donations, part of the 5th Edition of the Dangote Scholarship Award Programme, aim to empower students and foster educational development in the region.
Speaking at the ceremony, Devakumar Edwin, Group Vice President of Oil & Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, emphasized the group’s unwavering dedication to education as a tool for community empowerment and national development.
“Education is the passport to the future. At Dangote, we believe education is not just a privilege but a right that every child deserves. Since launching this programme in 2019, we have seen remarkable growth, progressing from 56 beneficiaries to 450 last year, and now 473,” Edwin stated.
He highlighted the company’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment, noting that the donation of desks and chairs was part of the broader vision to enhance infrastructure in host communities.
“To the scholars here today, your hard work inspires us. The support you receive is a seed sown in fertile ground. Nurture it with dedication, perseverance, and a spirit of excellence, and it will yield remarkable fruits in your future,” he added.
Olayinka Akande, Managing Director of Dangote Industries Free Zone Development Company (DIFZDC), urged beneficiaries to uphold the company’s core value of excellence. “With dedication and diligence, some of you could become governors, ministers, captains of industry, or even the next ‘Edwin,'” he said, inspiring the students to dream big.
Ogunleye Mojisola, Head of Social Performance at Dangote Petroleum & Petrochemicals, explained that education is one of the four pillars of the company’s Community Development Plan. She commended the steady increase in scholarship beneficiaries, which reflects the programme’s success in motivating students to strive for academic excellence.
The Aro of Lekki Kingdom, Chief Adewale Salami, representing the Oni of Lekki, expressed the kingdom’s appreciation for the initiative, affirming that Dangote Industries is shaping the future of the community.
Similarly, Alhaji Wasiu Ayeola, Chairman of the Lekki Coastal Area Development Association, praised Aliko Dangote for transforming the area from a “hunting ground of rabbits and lizards” into a multibillion-dollar hub benefiting the local community, Lagos, and Nigeria at large.
Several beneficiaries expressed their heartfelt appreciation. Atibere Peter from Lagos State University, Dauda Omolara from Community Senior High School, and Ganiu Ayomide from Community Senior High School, Akodo, among others, noted that the scholarships would ease financial burdens on their families and motivate them to excel academically.
The Dangote Scholarship Award Programme, which has grown exponentially since its inception in 2019, continues to transform lives, empower communities, and set a benchmark for corporate social responsibility. By investing in education, Dangote Industries is not just providing opportunities but also shaping the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
