Dangote Cement Plc has launched a new round of community empowerment programmes in Benue State, unveiling cash grants for women, agricultural support for farmers and vocational training opportunities for youths across its six host communities in Gboko Local Government Area.
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The company said the multi-million-naira intervention is part of its Community Development Agreement (CDA) commitments aimed at improving livelihoods, promoting self-reliance and strengthening economic opportunities for residents living around its Gboko Plant operations.
According to the company, the programme will benefit residents of Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers communities.
Under the initiative, 150 women will receive cash grants to support and expand their businesses, while 52 farmers will be provided with farm inputs to improve agricultural productivity. In addition, 30 youths selected from the communities will undergo vocational and skills acquisition training in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
Dangote Cement said the empowerment programmes were designed to directly impact households and stimulate economic activities within the host communities.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, commended Dangote Cement for sustaining investments targeted at improving the welfare of host communities.
Represented by Mrs Usman Adijatu, the minister said the Federal Government recognised the company’s contributions to socio-economic development in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria.
He noted that the intervention aligns with government efforts to reduce poverty, encourage inclusive growth and create sustainable livelihoods in mining and industrial communities.
Alake urged beneficiaries to use the support responsibly and channel the opportunities into long-term economic growth.
“The agricultural inputs, cash grants and vocational training opportunities should serve as a springboard for self-reliance and economic empowerment,” he said.
The Head of Social Performance, Pan-African Operations at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Wakeel Olayiwola, said the programme was developed through collaboration between the company, government representatives and host communities under the CDA framework.
He explained that the company remained committed to implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes that address the practical needs of people living in its operational areas.
Olayiwola praised the six communities for maintaining peaceful relationships with the company, adding that the cooperation has helped the successful implementation of several development projects over the years.
He also commended members of the CDA Consultative Committee for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible process in selecting beneficiaries for the intervention.
According to him, the process ensured that the support reached deserving residents across the communities.
The Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Abhijit Dutta, said the company considers its host communities as critical partners in progress and believes industrial growth should be tied to community development.
“Our host communities are not just neighbours; they are valued partners in progress,” Dutta said.
He explained that the empowerment scheme forms part of a five-year CDA that commenced in 2025 and is expected to deliver long-term social investment projects across the six communities.
Dutta said the current interventions were specifically designed to reduce poverty, promote entrepreneurship and create sustainable economic opportunities for residents.
He also disclosed that the company plans to introduce a scholarship scheme for students from the host communities as part of its broader social investment plans.
According to him, the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, remains committed to improving the welfare of communities where the company operates.
Dutta revealed that more than 230 residents benefitted from similar empowerment programmes in 2025, adding that Dangote Cement intends to sustain the initiative throughout the duration of the current CDA.
He further stated that several community projects captured under the agreement are already ongoing, while outstanding projects are expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The company also urged beneficiaries, especially women receiving cash grants, to invest the funds wisely into their businesses to ensure long-term benefits.
Dangote Cement thanked community leaders, traditional rulers and youth groups for sustaining peaceful relations with the Gboko Plant, noting that continued cooperation would help drive more development projects and shared prosperity.
Also speaking, the Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, Dr Johnson Kor, said the company operates a broad range of empowerment and development programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of its host communities.
The traditional ruler of the Gboko communities, Gabriel Shosum, praised Dangote Cement for its continued investments in community development, describing the interventions as impactful and beneficial to the people.
He assured the company of the continued support and goodwill of the host communities, while encouraging residents to maintain peace and cooperation so they can attract more development opportunities in the future.
