AS Nigeria pursues inclusive growth and sustainable development, effective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) must remain a core expression of responsible enterprise, not an afterthought.

This was disclosed by the Group Managing Director of Patjeda Group, Chief Ehiagwina Patrick, during a policy dialogue on Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, where she noted that effective CSR by private sector firms can curb the rising migration of Nigerian youths abroad in search of better opportunities.

During the dialogue session, organised by the PATJEDA Group, Patrick said stronger CSR in education, security and skills development would create jobs, boost youth confidence and encourage them to seek opportunities within Nigeria.

She added that CSR should go beyond philanthropy and be strategically aligned with the development goals to create long-term impact, while encouraging companies to adopt structured and long-term CSR models, align social investments with national priorities, and focus on measuring impact rather than visibility.

Patrick urged corporate organisations to collaborate with government and civil society groups to design programmes that would empower youths and restore confidence in Nigeria’s economic prospects.

“Many young Nigerians leave the country due to limited access to education, employment, skills development and economic empowerment. Deliberate CSR programmes could address these challenges.

“There are children who have embraced hooliganism and drug abuse due to lack of support to attend school or develop skills; therefore, it is necessary for companies to prioritise CSR for national development.

“This led PATJEDA to develop the back-to-school initiative which empowered no fewer than 300 pupils in 2025 and we look forward to empowering 500 pupils in 2026. This will be extended to Anifowose Primary School in Ikeja, Ikoyi-Ekiti community in Ekiti State and other strategic locations.

“Our educational CSR focuses on scholarships, bursaries, school support initiatives and assistance from primary to tertiary levels. We will also invest our “Feed the Widows Initiative in Ikeja,” she said.

Patrick said it had become imperative to view CSR as a structured, value-driven tool for development and not as charity.
According to her, this is necessary at a time when Nigeria is grappling with complex socio-economic challenges, ranging from youth unemployment, gaps in access to education, infrastructure deficits and food insecurity.

In his opening remark, the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Finance, Patjeda Group, Mr. John Ighodalo, urged corporate organisations to focus on policy alignment, scalability, and transparency to ensure that CSR initiatives become truly impactful.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Ikeja Local Council, Comrade Akeem Dauda, who listed security, creating of enabling environment for businesses to thrive and education as focus of his administration, lauded PATJEDA as a top contributor to local development.

While appreciating the company for its lasting impact on the community, the chairman acknowledged PATJEDA’s contributions, particularly in the areas of security and education.