Lagos: Chief Ehiagwina Patrick, Group Managing Director of Patjeda Group, says effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) by private sector firms can curb the rising migration of Nigerian youths abroad in search of better opportunities. Patrick, during a policy dialogue on Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, advised corporates to strengthen their CSR initiatives.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the dialogue session was organised by PATJEDA Group. The GMD said stronger CSR in education, security, and skills development would create jobs, boost youth confidence, and encourage them to seek opportunities within Nigeria. Ehiagwina noted that CSR should go beyond philanthropy and be strategically aligned with sustainable development goals to create long-term impact.
She encouraged companies to adopt structured and long-term CSR models, align social investments with national priorities, and focus on measuring impact rather than visibility. She 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,’ she said. ‘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, with plans to empower 500 pupils in 2026. The initiative 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 in our ‘Feed the Widows Initiative in Ikeja,’ Patrick added.
Patrick emphasized the importance of viewing CSR as a structured, value-driven tool for development rather than charity, especially as Nigeria grapples with complex socio-economic challenges, ranging from youth unemployment and gaps in access to education to infrastructure deficits and food insecurity. She stated, ‘CSR must evolve from token gestures and isolated donations into strategic, sustainable, and people-centred interventions that align with national development priorities and measurable outcomes.’
The Patjeda Group’s CSR initiatives are facilitated through two dedicated foundations: Patrick Ejedawe Empowerment Foundation and Heart of Gold Support and Care Initiative. These foundations operate as non-commercial, impact-focused platforms, allowing CSR activities to be community-responsive rather than publicity-driven. An example of their efforts includes a December intervention that made the Uromi axis of the Agbor-Auchi expressway motorable, improving economic activity along the corridor.
Mr. John Ighodalo, Executive Director of Corporate Services and Finance at Patjeda Group, also highlighted the importance of policy alignment, scalability, and transparency to ensure CSR initiatives become truly impactful. Meanwhile, Oba Ogundana Akinwande, Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ekiti, praised the significant impact of Patjeda’s CSR initiatives, noting personal benefits as a retired police officer and traditional ruler.
Additionally, Mr. Akeem Dauda, Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, appreciated the company for its lasting impact on the community, describing it as the top contributor to local development. Dauda acknowledged Patjeda’s contributions, particularly in the areas of security and education, expressing hope for further support from the group to extend its assistance.
Patjeda Group, a Nigerian-owned conglomerate with diversified interests spanning transportation and logistics, hospitality and tourism, oil and gas, security support services, courier and integrated services, retail, agriculture, education, and business solutions, has expanded operations across several Nigerian cities since its incorporation in 2007, contributing to employment generation, service delivery, and regional economic inclusion.