Firdaus Obiremi
Dangote Cement Plc, Okpella Plant, Edo State, has invested over ₦32m in education and electricity infrastructure in its host communities, awarding scholarships to 80 students and commissioning four 500KVA transformers.
The interventions, implemented under the company’s Community Development Agreement (CDA) with its host communities, were unveiled on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at a ceremony attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, students, parents, government officials and management representatives of the company.
The scholarship scheme covered 60 undergraduate students studying in various tertiary institutions across the country and 20 secondary school pupils drawn from the company’s host communities.
While each undergraduate beneficiary received ₦500,000, the secondary school beneficiaries were awarded ₦100,000 each to support their educational expenses.
Speaking at the event, the Social Performance Manager of Dangote Cement, Okpella Plant, Daniel Obamina, said the intervention reflected the company’s commitment to human capital development and the creation of sustainable opportunities for young people in its host communities.
Obamina described education as a critical instrument for social transformation, stressing that the scholarship programme was designed to ease the financial burden on families while encouraging academic excellence among young people.
“Dangote Cement believes that education is a powerful catalyst for development. Through this scholarship programme, we are investing in the future of our young people and providing support that will enable them to pursue their academic ambitions without undue financial challenges.
“We want these students to become future leaders, professionals and contributors to the development of their communities and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
He explained that the scholarship scheme was an integral part of the Community Development Agreement between the company and its host communities, assuring residents that Dangote Cement would continue to honour its commitments through projects capable of delivering measurable benefits.
On the electricity intervention, Obamina said the four 500KVA transformers were commissioned to improve power distribution, support commercial activities and enhance the living conditions of residents.
According to him, reliable electricity remains essential to economic growth, education and the overall well-being of communities.
“Access to reliable electricity is essential for socio-economic development. These transformers will help improve power distribution, support businesses, enhance learning environments and generally improve the quality of life for residents.
“This project reflects our determination to make meaningful contributions beyond our core business operations,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Host Communities (ECHC), High Chief Peter Afiabor, commended Dangote Cement for what he described as its consistent commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the Community Development Agreement.
Afiabor said the scholarship awards and electricity projects would provide significant relief to residents, particularly students and business owners grappling with rising educational and operational costs.
He described the interventions as evidence of the benefits of constructive engagement between companies and their host communities.
“Today’s event is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through constructive engagement and partnership between a company and its host communities.
“The scholarships will provide financial relief to families and encourage educational excellence among our youths, while the transformers will address critical electricity needs in our communities,” he said.
The community leader urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by remaining committed to their studies and striving for academic excellence.
“This opportunity should inspire the students to study hard and become worthy ambassadors of their communities. We appreciate Dangote Cement for this gesture and look forward to sustaining the cordial relationship that has delivered these and many other development projects,” Afiabor added.
Some beneficiaries and community members also expressed appreciation to the company, describing the scholarship scheme as timely, particularly against the backdrop of increasing costs of education.
Parents and guardians noted that the financial support would ease the burden of school expenses and enable beneficiaries to concentrate more on their academic pursuits.
The scholarship awards and transformer commissioning form part of Dangote Cement’s broader community investment initiatives, which the company says are aimed at strengthening relations with host communities through interventions in education, infrastructure and youth development.
The latest projects underscore the importance of implementing Community Development Agreements through tangible investments that address the educational, social and infrastructural needs of communities hosting industrial operations.
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