CSR That Counts: 14 Nigerian Companies Making Real Impact

In Nigeria’s very competitive business world, one may be tempted to dismiss Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as just one more marketing strategy – billboard smiles, and big promises with very little or nothing to show forth. While that is not completely far from truth, it’s imperative to state that, in the midst of this, there are companies truly doing the real work. Some of them are doing this quietly, but consistently and of course impactfully.

From remote communities in the North to underserved schools in the South, some corporate giants are putting money where their mission is, investing in people, health, education, youth, and the environment.

Here are 14 Nigerian companies whose CSR efforts are transforming lives and changing the narrative.

Dangote Group

CSR Arm: Aliko Dangote Foundation

Key Focus: Education, Health, Poverty Alleviation

Initiatives:

• Multi-billion-naira microgrant programs for women
• Full school renovations and scholarships
• Free medical services across states
• Emergency interventions in IDP camps
  

Shell Nigeria

CSR Framework: GMoU (Global Memorandum of Understanding)

Key Focus: Health, Environment, Education

Initiatives:

• Shell Scholars Programme for STEM students
• Health-in-Motion mobile clinics in rural communities
• Funding and executing the Ogoni clean-up
• Community development boards in the Niger Delta
  

Rite Foods Limited

CSR Approach: Youth-Centric and Community-Focused

Key Focus: Youth Empowerment, Culture, Relief

Initiatives:

• Rite Freestyle Football Challenge
• Sponsorship of cultural events like Felabration
• Donation of relief materials to IDPs and orphanages
• Eco-friendly manufacturing practices
  

Nigerian Breweries Plc

CSR Arm: NB Education Trust Fund

Key Focus: Education, Clean Water, Youth Empowerment

Initiatives:

• Maltina Teacher of the Year awards
• Borehole projects for underserved areas
• Youth business training and financial literacy campaigns
  
  

Read Also: Champions of Change: Training Internal Leaders to Drive CSR and Sustainability Across Departments

Chevron Nigeria

CSR Vehicle: NDPI (Niger Delta Partnership Initiative)

Key Focus: Health, Education, Economic Empowerment

Initiatives:

• Agbami Medical & Engineering Scholarship
• Eye care campaigns and malaria eradication drives
• Skills training for young entrepreneurs
• Environmental restoration projects
  

Lafarge Africa Plc

CSR Strategy: Sustainable Infrastructure & Skills

Key Focus: Environment, Health, Technical Education

Initiatives:

• Geocycle waste-to-energy recycling
• Construction of affordable housing in local communities
• Vocational institutes for construction-related trades
  

BUA Group

CSR Arm: BUA Foundation

Key Focus: Health, Infrastructure, Education

Initiatives:

• Donation of hospitals in Northern Nigeria
• Scholarships for indigent students
• Road, power and water projects in host communities
• COVID-19 palliative support
  

Unilever Nigeria

CSR Model: Sustainable Living Plan

Key Focus: Hygiene, Women Empowerment, Recycling

Initiatives:

• Lifebuoy Clean Hands school hygiene campaign
• Shakti — a rural women entrepreneurship initiative
• Waste-to-wealth recycling partnerships
  

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

CSR Focus: Infrastructure & Youth Development

Key Focus: Education, Health, Skills

Initiatives:

• Adopt-a-School rehabilitation projects
• Medical outreaches in project zones
• Artisan training and employment programs
• Environmental impact mitigation through green projects
  

TotalEnergies Nigeria

CSR Framework: Sustainable Community Development

Key Focus: Education, Health, Capacity Building

Initiatives:

• Catch Them Young science education campaign
• Eye camps, surgeries, and primary care clinics
• Vocational training centers in rural areas
  

PZ Cussons Nigeria

CSR Arm: PZ Cussons Foundation

Key Focus: Education, Sanitation, Innovation

Initiatives:

• Chemistry Challenge for secondary schools
• Boreholes and handwashing stations
• Baby clinics and hygiene awareness drives
  

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM)

CSR Model: Direct Community Investments

Key Focus: Technical Education, Local Empowerment

Initiatives:

• Scholarships for engineering and technical students
• Donations of tools and vehicles to institutions
• Skills training for auto mechanics in the East
  

Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN)

CSR Strategy: Agro-Empowerment & Food Security

Key Focus: Agriculture, Youth, Health

Initiatives:

• Agropreneur initiative for young farmers
• COVID-19 food relief across regions
• Technical support for smallholder farmers
  

Nestlé Nigeria

CSR Model: Creating Shared Value (CSV)

Key Focus: Nutrition, Water, Youth

Initiatives:

• Nestlé for Healthier Kids nutrition education
• Youth business incubator under YOCAN
• Rural sanitation and water projects
• Plastic reduction campaigns
  

How Corporate Sector is Driving CSR in Nigeria

CSR in Nigeria is fast becoming a lifeline in communities where government support is sometimes very little. For a fact, these 14 companies are setting the pace. They are showing that doing well in business doesn’t just mean doing less for society – the two can actually go hand-in-hand.

They are building schools, powering hospitals, training youths, and cleaning up the environment and most importantly, they have been investing in this, and they are still very committed at it.

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