Editor
Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, has unveiled its 2025 social investment scorecard and awarded N15.72 million in education scholarships to students from its host communities, as part of efforts to deepen community engagement and promote sustainable development.
The initiatives were announced on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the 4th Annual Host Community Day held at the Dangote Cement Estate Playing Ground in Ibese, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The company disclosed that it completed 13 community development projects in 2025, with 10 others currently ongoing, cutting across education, health, infrastructure and economic empowerment. The projects were presented as part of its social investment scorecard during the event.
In a welcome address, the Plant Director, Mr. Ayyagari Subbaraidu, represented by the Chief General Manager, Maintenance, Mr. Hemant Dave, described the Annual Host Community Day as a strategic platform for strengthening stakeholder engagement and reviewing the company’s social impact.
According to him, the initiative reflects Dangote Cement’s commitment to fostering partnership, inclusion and sustainable development beyond cement production. He also expressed appreciation to the Ogun State Government, host communities, customers and other stakeholders for their continued support since the plant’s establishment.
Presenting the 2025 Social Investment Scorecard, the Head of Social Performance at the Ibese Plant, Mr. Ademola Ojolowo, said the company planned 27 projects for the year, including civil works, electrical projects, empowerment programmes and medical facility support.
Ojolowo explained that 13 projects had been completed, while 10 were ongoing and expected to be delivered before the end of the year. He added that the interventions included skill acquisition schemes, women and youth empowerment programmes, farmer support initiatives, health sensitisation campaigns, infrastructure development and solar inverter installations.
He noted that the company prioritised local vendor participation and the establishment of Project Governance Committees within communities to ensure transparency, maintenance and sustainability.
“As a responsible corporate organisation, we remain committed under our Community Development Agreement to complement government efforts by delivering social and economic benefits to our host communities,” Ojolowo said.
As part of its education support initiatives, Dangote Cement awarded scholarships totalling N15,720,000 to 120 students from 17 host communities, comprising 100 undergraduates and 20 pupils from primary and secondary schools. In addition, 25 youths received laptops under the company’s ICT empowerment programme, while 60 women were empowered with corn milling machines to boost their economic activities.
In his goodwill message, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, commended Dangote Cement for its consistent support for community development, but urged the company to further improve the living environment of its host communities. He also raised concerns over safety issues, particularly the indiscriminate parking of trucks on major roads in the area.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Ademola Balogun; the Chairman of Yewa North Local Government, Dr. Olusola Akinbode; and the Aboro of Ibeseland, Oba Rotimi Mulero, urged beneficiaries of the empowerment programmes to make judicious use of the opportunities. They also appealed to the company to sustain and expand its investments in infrastructure and human capital development.
Oba Mulero thanked the company for providing employment opportunities for indigenes, while calling for better placement of qualified community members in roles aligned with their skills and qualifications.
Speaking on behalf of the women beneficiaries, the Women Leader of Ijako-Orile in Ewekoro Local Government Area, Princess Sherifat Akintunde, expressed gratitude for the empowerment initiative, noting that the milling machines would significantly improve the economic wellbeing of women in the area.
The event featured the presentation of laptops and other equipment to beneficiaries of the ICT programme, cultural performances and interactive sessions between company officials and community stakeholders.
Dignitaries at the event included traditional rulers, government officials and community leaders, among them the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Lukman Kuoye, and other representatives from Dangote Cement and its host communities.
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