Dangote Cement, Jakura Community Ink New Partnership Deal

In a landmark move aimed at deepening corporate responsibility and grassroots impact, Dangote Cement Plc’s Obajana Plant has formalised a Community Development Agreement (CDA) with the Jakura community. This historic pact sets the stage for a five-year period in which the cement giant and its host community will collaborate on a set of socially-driven projects designed to uplift local livelihoods and foster sustainable development.

According to an official company statement released Wednesday, the agreement—signed on 17 September—builds on a tradition of similar accords established between Dangote Cement and its various host communities across Nigeria. These CDAs serve as vital frameworks for channeling significant socio-economic initiatives directly to Nigerians at the grassroots, addressing needs unique to each locality while aligning with broader national development goals.

At the signing event, attended by key stakeholders from community, government, and the company, Azad Nawabuddin, Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, explained that the CDA implementation aligns with the legal stipulations of section 116 of the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and section 193 of the Minerals and Mining Regulation 2011. This integration underscores the company’s adherence to best practices and statutory responsibilities within Nigeria’s extractive industries.

Dangote cement, Jakura community, sign CDA agreement [Photo credit: Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant.]

Representing Mr. Nawabuddin at the ceremony was John Gwong, Chief General Manager, Production, who highlighted that this agreement is a concrete demonstration of Dangote Cement’s ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life in the Jakura community and beyond. Gwong stated, “Our philosophy as a business is rooted in the belief that good neighbourliness is good business. We take deliberate steps to ensure harmonious, mutually beneficial interactions with the communities that host us.”

He also called on the state and local governments for their sustained partnership, expressing hope for effective collaboration with relevant agencies to bring to fruition the developmental projects outlined in the CDA.

“We look forward to collaborating with state and federal bodies, ensuring smooth execution of all projects listed in this agreement. It is through these joint efforts that the intended benefits for the Jakura community and Kogi State at large can truly be maximised,” Gwong added.

Structured Implementation and Oversight

A key feature of the agreement is the establishment of a dedicated governance structure that will oversee the timely and transparent implementation of all outlined commitments. This structure, officials explained, is central to building local trust and ensuring accountability—a factor often lacking in similar agreements across the region.

Adherence to National Guidelines

Wakeel Olayiwola, Group Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, clarified that the negotiation and finalisation of the CDA followed the revised 2023 guidelines on community development agreements. Olayiwola reassured participants that despite the year drawing to a close, Dangote Cement is committed to immediately kickstarting project implementation, stressing its dedication to a vibrant, long-term partnership with Jakura and neighboring communities.

James Adenuga, Dangote Industries Ltd’s Group Head of Health, Safety, Social, Environment, and Sustainability, also shed light on the importance of such agreements. He said, “Dangote Cement recognises the importance of earning and retaining its social license to operate, and is making determined efforts to deliver genuine, transformative interventions in local host communities.”

In a similar vein, Ademola Adeyemi, General Manager, Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, credited the Jakura community for their collaborative spirit and optimism during the rigorous CDA negotiation process. “It is their support and constructive engagement that have enabled us to reach consensus on a blueprint that will make a real difference,” Adeyemi observed.

Government and Stakeholder Endorsements

On the government side, Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development (represented by Bimbo Olaoye), commended Dangote Cement as a model for responsible corporate citizenship in Nigeria. Alake encouraged the Jakura community to continue cultivating a peaceful relationship with the company to unlock even more benefits in the years to come.

Olaoye went further to assure all stakeholders that federal authorities are committed to safeguarding the company’s operational stability while also ensuring that its activities lead to sustainable job creation and impactful social programmes.

A broad spectrum of officials was present at the event, reflecting the importance and scale of the agreement. Notable attendees, according to the company statement, included Olufemi Olaitan, Director, Geological Services for the Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals; Atinuke Onimode, House Committee Chair for Solid Minerals (Kogi State House of Assembly); and representatives from compliance and environmental oversight bodies.

Offering his perspective, Usman Ajibola Adoga, the Obaro of Jakura, described the signing as “a dream come true.” Adoga remarked, “This is a historic moment for our community, one that some elders hoped for but unfortunately did not live to see. With this agreement, we are confident that Jakura has entered a new chapter of progress and opportunity.”

He also applauded Dangote Cement’s ongoing outreach in Kogi State, which has reportedly brought critical interventions to a number of communities grappling with underdevelopment and unemployment.

Frederick Balogun, the Olu of Apata, echoed these sentiments, calling Aliko Dangote “God-sent” and vowing that communities in the region will act as ambassadors for the Dangote Group, maintaining peace and cooperation to ensure a thriving partnership.

Wider Impact and Community Voice

Local government officials were also quick to highlight the broader ripple effect of the agreement. Danjuma Abubakar, representing the Chairman of the Lokoja Local Government Area, promised that the people of Kogi would remain steadfast supporters of Dangote Cement, pointing to the company’s history of local empowerment and intervention.

Legal and Social Context

Nigeria’s extractive sector has faced growing scrutiny over the years regarding the real impact of multinational operations on host communities. Laws such as the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 require extractive firms to enter into CDAs before commencing business, aiming to ensure that localities benefit equitably from natural resources. Nonetheless, reports by groups such as the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and advocacy bodies note that enforcement has at times been uneven, with some companies accused of not fully implementing signed agreements.

In this context, the Dangote-Jakura CDA stands out as a notable example of alignment between legal compliance, community aspirations, and business interests—though its true impact will ultimately rest on rigorous execution and continued dialogue with local stakeholders. As Lagos-based development analyst Chinedu Okafor commented, “CDAs like this can be game-changers if both parties uphold their commitments—especially on issues like local employment, environmental health, and infrastructural investment.”

Comparative Insights and Pan-African Relevance

Across Africa, similar agreements have proven invaluable in countries like Ghana, South Africa, and Tanzania, where mining deals increasingly incorporate community benefit clauses and participatory oversight. According to data from the Africa Mining Vision, regions that vigorously implement CDAs report fewer incidents of community-company conflict and faster social development, though challenges around transparency and accountability remain.

With the Dangote-Jakura partnership now formalised, all eyes will be on how swiftly and substantively the promised projects—ranging from educational infrastructure to healthcare, vocational training, and environmental management—are delivered and maintained.

Challenges and Looking Ahead

Despite the optimism surrounding this deal, stakeholders acknowledge that successful implementation is not without hurdles. Critics caution that effective monitoring, timely fund disbursement, and robust community participation are essential in avoiding the stagnation that often plagues similar initiatives elsewhere in Nigeria and West Africa. Fathers such as Adamu Shehu, a Jakura-based farmer, told NowahalaZone, “We are glad for this agreement, but we hope that the projects will truly reach us and involve our youths meaningfully.”

As Nigeria—and the continent at large—looks to industrial growth as a cornerstone of economic advancement, partnerships that harness both corporate resources and local wisdom will remain vital for inclusive, durable progress.

What are your thoughts on community-driven agreements between companies and host communities? Do you think these partnerships can serve as a model for Africa’s development? Drop your comments below and let’s keep the conversation going.

Have a news tip, community story, or inside scoop to share? Want to get your story featured or sell your story? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].
For general support, reach out at [email protected].
Join the conversation—follow us for more business and community news on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram!