It was a day of insightful reflections and powerful takeaways at the CSR Impact & Excellence Conference and Awards hosted by the Media Consortium in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, where business leaders, sustainability advocates, and corporate communications professionals converged under the theme “Driving a Sustainable Future: Leveraging CSR for Organisational Growth.”
The event featured a rich panel session moderated by Clara Chinwe Okoro, COO and Executive Producer at Brandworld Media, and brought together respected thought leaders including Muyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications at SIFAX Group; Chi Tola Roberts, Chief Operating Officer at Capacious Farms & Foods; and Adebimpe Adebisi, Profit Centre Head at Simba Group.
In her opening remarks, Clara Chinwe Okoro emphasized that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than a tick-box activity — it is the heartbeat of modern businesses seeking to connect with the soul of their customers. “People want to know if a brand truly cares about them,” she noted. “CSR remains the emotional bridge between corporate entities and the community. It’s not about random generosity, but meaningful alignment with people’s values and aspirations.”
Chi Tola Roberts echoed the sentiment, arguing that sustainability must be viewed as a long-term strategy rather than an operational burden. “A lot of people perceive CSR as a cost center,” she said, “but in reality, it’s more sustainable and impactful than promotions or giveaways, which often do not build brand loyalty. True sustainability is about creating impact that leads to long-term consumer trust and business growth.”
Adebimpe Adebisi, representing Simba Group — a key player in renewable energy — elaborated on how sustainability is seamlessly woven into their operations. “We prioritize environmental consciousness in our processes,” she explained. “We limit the use of diesel generators and rely on solar energy during peak hours to reduce emissions. We recently partnered with a healthcare facility in Epeh to provide uninterrupted solar power, transforming the quality of healthcare delivery there. That’s the kind of CSR that not only solves a problem but also builds loyalty and trust.”
Muyiwa Akande shared SIFAX Group’s structured approach to CSR across its diverse business arms, from aviation to maritime and finance. He spotlighted their “Catch Them Young Financial Awareness Programme”, where the finance subsidiary engages secondary school students through educational campaigns, debates, and essay competitions on financial literacy. “We also run vocational training with business and financial management components,” he added. “Our top graduates receive business grants and continued advisory support. Over time, we’ve seen many of them grow into employers, expanding their businesses and creating jobs.”
On the agriculture front, Chi Tola Roberts discussed Capacious Farms’ efforts to reshape CSR beyond conventional food giveaways. “Last year, we launched a Junior Secondary School (JSS) essay competition to spark interest in agricultural careers early on,” she shared. “We now have support from the Ministries of Agriculture and Education, and even universities offering potential scholarships to students. It’s about awareness. Most small businesses think CSR is too expensive, but with the right partnerships, it can be cost-effective and deeply impactful.”
The panel agreed that building a sustainable future starts with embedding CSR into a company’s core strategy and culture. It must evolve from one-off donations to structured, long-term initiatives that align with a company’s purpose and meet societal needs. Whether through education, health, energy, or agriculture, CSR is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity for growth, resilience, and emotional resonance in today’s marketplace.
Moderator Clara Chinwe Okoro tied the conversations together, stressing the importance of integrating sustainability into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). “CSR should not be a side gig. When it is organically linked to your core business, you create lasting value—for the company and for the society,” she noted.
A consistent theme throughout the session was the need for broader awareness and education, especially for small businesses.
The conference ended with a resounding call for MSMEs and larger corporations alike to embrace collaboration and sustainability as drivers of both social value and competitive advantage.
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