Dangote Foundation Boosts Education for 3,704 Students in Ibeju-Lekki Host Communities

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), in partnership with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited, has strengthened its education intervention in host communities by distributing school uniforms, bags, sandals, and writing materials to primary school pupils in Ibeju‑Lekki.
The initiative, executed over five days, benefitted 1,323 pupils—including children with special needs—across five primary schools: Local Government Primary School, Ilege; Okunraye Community Primary School; Idotun Community Primary School; Olomowewe Community Primary School; and Lekki Community Primary School.
According to programme details, the intervention will extend to secondary schools, bringing the total number of student beneficiaries to 3,704. The broader support package also includes scholarships for 443 students—33 in tertiary institutions and 410 in secondary schools—alongside vocational training opportunities designed to equip youths in the host communities with employable technical skills.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the programme reflects the long-standing vision of its founder, Aliko Dangote, to invest in education as a pathway to sustainable community transformation.
She emphasized that the intervention goes beyond the provision of learning materials.
“Education remains the most powerful tool for transforming lives and communities. This effort is about giving every child in our host communities a fair opportunity to learn, succeed, and dream beyond limitations. By investing in these children today, we are nurturing the leaders who will shape Nigeria’s future,” she said.
Speaking on the wider community development strategy, Head of Social Performance at the refinery, Mojisola Ogunleye, disclosed that the first phase covers students across four secondary schools and five primary schools, with the second phase set to include scholarships, textbooks, and additional learning materials.
She further revealed that 22 community youths possessing SSCE qualifications have already undergone technical upskilling through the globally recognised City & Guilds certification in Electrical Engineering (Levels 1–3), with certificates issued from London to be formally presented.
Education stakeholders within the communities have welcomed the intervention.

She explained that the support would significantly improve school enrolment, classroom confidence, and participation, as some children had abandoned school due to embarrassment or financial hardship.
“This gesture has lifted a heavy burden from parents and will bring many pupils back to school,” she said, urging other organisations to replicate similar education-focused interventions.
Beyond education, the programme has generated economic benefits for residents.
Local tailor Aminat Aderonke Salabu, engaged to produce school uniforms within the community, described the opportunity as life-changing, noting that proceeds from the contract enabled her to begin developing a self-contained apartment and shop.
The multi-layered intervention underscores a growing model of corporate-community partnership—combining education support, youth empowerment, and local economic inclusion—to deliver long-term social impact in Nigeria’s industrial host communities.

Aliko Dangote Foundation, with Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser, empowers 3,704 students in Ibeju-Lekki through uniforms, scholarships, and vocational training, boosting education and community livelihoods.