Lafarge Africa Plc, a subsidiary of the Huaxin Group, has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots development with the execution of wide-ranging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions in Sagamu, Ogun State, in collaboration with the Royal Initiatives for the Development of Sagamu Community (RIDSCo).
The projects, unveiled on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during activities marking the 2025 Sagamu Community Day, featured the empowerment of over 100 indigene students, skills acquisition support for youths, and the delivery of 16 projects spanning education, healthcare, infrastructure, water supply and security.
Community leaders and stakeholders described the initiative as a significant investment in human and social capital, reflecting a long-standing partnership between Lafarge Africa and its host community.
Addressing guests at the event, Chairman of RIDSCo, Mr. Sammy Ogunjimi, expressed appreciation to Lafarge Africa for what he described as years of consistent engagement and responsiveness to community needs. He particularly acknowledged the Sagamu plant management led by Engineer Deji Esan, noting that mutual trust and cooperation have been central to the success of the CSR programmes.
Ogunjimi explained that Lafarge Africa’s approach to CSR goes beyond financial support, as the company insists on strict standards in project design and execution. According to him, RIDSCo serves as the implementing partner, ensuring that all interventions align with Lafarge’s CSR philosophy.
“Our role is to ensure that every intervention reflects Lafarge’s core CSR principles. These principles focus on education, healthcare, environmental responsibility, provision of basic amenities and initiatives that strengthen social bonds within and across communities,” he said.
He added that while appreciable progress has been made, the Sagamu community continues to advocate for increased CSR funding, expansion of project scope, and stronger collaboration in areas relating to safety and security.
Education, Health and Infrastructure Take Centre Stage
The 2025 Community Day projects were spread across several sectors critical to community development. In the education sector, selected public secondary schools received 140 iron dual lockers, while Muslim High School, Sabo, benefited from newly provided laboratory furniture. A block of science classrooms and laboratories at the school was also renovated to create a more conducive learning environment.
Healthcare delivery was boosted through the completion of the Imushin–Ogijo Primary Health Centre (Phase II) and the execution of Phase I of the Ladejobi Primary Health Centre. These facilities are expected to reduce pressure on existing health services and improve access to primary healthcare for surrounding communities. A free medical outreach programme was also conducted as part of the Community Day activities, providing residents with access to medical consultations and basic treatments.
In addressing water scarcity, boreholes were provided in Itunlosi and Ladejobi communities, as well as at St. Paul School, Oke-Ate, ensuring improved access to clean and safe drinking water.
Infrastructure projects included the construction of concrete culverts at Ifelodun Ado-Omitutu and Aruba communities to ease transportation challenges and enhance flood control. A concrete drainage system was also constructed at Emuren community, while Phase I of the Fire Service Station at the Sagamu Interchange was completed to strengthen emergency response capacity.
Other interventions included the renovation of the old NITEL premises for community use, provision of furniture for the Isoso Police Station, and other projects aimed at improving public service delivery and security operations.
Human Capital Development, Youth Empowerment
Beyond physical infrastructure, the CSR programme placed strong emphasis on human capital development. A total of 101 Sagamu indigene students in their penultimate academic year were awarded bursaries to support their education and encourage academic excellence.
Also read: RIDSCo, Axxela, Lafarge Champion Commissioning of Ultra-Modern Isoso Police Station in Sagamu
In addition, youths were trained in organic snail farming, a venture identified for its low start-up cost and sustainability potential. Beneficiaries were provided with start-up kits to enable them establish small-scale enterprises and become economically self-reliant.
Stakeholders noted that the empowerment initiatives align with broader national efforts to reduce youth unemployment and promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
Royal Presence, Community Endorsement
The event was attended by His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi (CFR), the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, alongside other traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, community leaders, RIDSCo executives and representatives of Lafarge Africa.
The royal father and other speakers at the event commended Lafarge Africa and RIDSCo for setting a benchmark in corporate–community relations, describing the partnership as a practical example of how private sector organisations can support sustainable development in host communities.
With the successful delivery of the 2025 Community Day projects, stakeholders expressed optimism that continued collaboration between Lafarge Africa and the Sagamu community would further accelerate development and enhance the quality of life for residents, while reinforcing Lafarge’s image as a socially responsible corporate citizen on the national stage.
