Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL) has expanded its community investment programme in Osun State by upgrading equipment for existing women-owned businesses while awarding scholarships to 63 students from its host communities.

The Nigerian subsidiary of Thor Explorations Ltd said the intervention, delivered through its 2026 Segilola Women Initiative Programme (SWIP) and SROL Gold Scholarship Programme (SGSP), reached 96 beneficiaries in Iperindo, Odo-Ijesha and Imogbara.

The latest phase goes beyond providing start-up equipment, with three previous SWIP beneficiaries receiving additional machines to increase their production capacity and diversify their businesses.

Existing businesses receive new equipment

Thirty women entrepreneurs received equipment suited to their businesses, including freezers, sewing and stoning machines, digesters, multi-purpose grinders, gas burners and cooler sets.

SROL said the equipment is intended to help the beneficiaries improve productivity, serve more customers and develop more sustainable income streams.

Three women who had previously benefited from SWIP also received upgraded equipment as part of what the company described as its monitoring and business upscaling initiative.

In Iperindo, one beneficiary moved from a domestic sewing machine to an industrial model, while a beneficiary in Odo-Ijesha who previously received a pepper grinder was given a flour and maize grinder to broaden her processing activities.

In Imogbara, a beneficiary running a sewing business received weaving and button-cover machines, allowing her to add new services to her existing enterprise.

The approach represents a shift from one-off support towards continued investment in businesses that have already received assistance.

Since SWIP began in 2021, SROL said more than 200 women across its host communities have benefited from equipment intended to support financial independence and participation in the local economy.

Beneficiary: ‘I hope to become an example’

One returning beneficiary, Adesuyi Titilope Elizabeth, said the additional support would help her increase her customer base and income.

“I appreciate SROL for recognizing the needs of women in our community and providing practical support. This equipment will help me serve more customers and increase my income. I hope to become an example to other women.”

The company has not provided independent assessments of the businesses’ income growth or employment created since the scheme began.

63 students receive scholarships

Alongside the entrepreneurship programme, SROL awarded scholarships to 63 students from its three host communities.

The beneficiaries comprise 28 secondary school students and 35 students in tertiary institutions.

Under the SROL Gold Scholarship Programme, the company said students were selected based on academic performance, with top-performing students in each category receiving laptops and other learning devices.

The education component is intended to support students’ continued schooling while improving their access to digital learning tools.

Company says communities are ‘partners in progress’

Madhurii Sarkar-Amoda, Community Development and Stakeholder Manager at SROL, said the programmes were designed around needs identified within the company’s host communities.

“When a company creates initiatives that directly address community needs, the impact is real. At Segilola, we see our host communities as partners in progress. Women and youth are central to entrepreneurship and sustainability. These programmes provide immediate support while laying the foundation for long-term growth and self-reliance.”»

The awards were presented on August 20 at the Iperindo Community New Town Hall.

SROL said the SWIP and Gold Scholarship Programme form part of Thor Explorations’ wider community investment around its mining operations, covering areas including education, entrepreneurship, livelihoods and skills development.

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Why the intervention matters

For communities around mining operations, community investment can extend beyond direct employment to education, small-business development and household livelihoods.

In the latest programme, the combination of new equipment, business upgrades and scholarships means support is being directed at both current income-generating activities and the education of younger residents.

However, the longer-term impact of the interventions will depend on whether beneficiaries are able to sustain and expand their businesses and whether scholarship support translates into improved educational outcomes.

SROL said it intends to continue investments aimed at creating what it described as shared and lasting value in communities around its operations.

More than 1,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Plateau State have received food supplies through the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, as Fidelity Bank Plc expanded its humanitarian support to communities affected by violence and displacement.

The outreach, held in Mangu Local Government Area in partnership with the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office and supported by the ABBASID Charity Foundation, provided essential food items including rice, noodles and tomatoes to families living in temporary camps.

The intervention comes as humanitarian agencies continue to warn about rising food insecurity across Nigeria, particularly in communities displaced by conflict, where access to farms and other sources of income has been disrupted.

Why it matters

Thousands of families in Plateau State have been forced from their homes following recurring attacks in recent years, leaving many dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival.

While emergency food support offers immediate relief, development experts say lasting peace, improved security and the restoration of livelihoods will be critical to helping affected communities recover.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Divisional Head of Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

“The Fidelity Food Bank Initiative was conceived as a way of giving sustenance to the society and supporting vulnerable groups across Nigeria. Today, we are delighted to be in Mangu to extend this support to families affected by displacement. We hope this intervention helps nourish households and contribute to reducing the burden of hunger currently affecting them.”

He said the programme has become one of the bank’s flagship corporate social responsibility initiatives, supporting national efforts to reduce hunger and improve the welfare of underserved communities.

State government welcomes partnership

The Project Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs. Nanbam Danjuma-Lot, described the intervention as timely, saying many displaced families continue to face difficult living conditions.

“Following the attacks and destruction experienced by these communities in recent years, many families continue to face significant hardship. We are pleased to partner with Fidelity Bank and other humanitarian organizations to bring succor to those affected. This reflects our collective commitment to supporting affected persons and helping them rebuild their lives.”

Charity foundation highlights wider impact

Founder of the ABBASID Charity Foundation, Mrs. Hauwa Abbas, said collaboration between private organisations and humanitarian groups is helping extend food assistance to vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

“Our collaboration with Fidelity Bank has enabled us to extend food support to vulnerable communities nationwide. So far, we have reached between 32 and 40 communities across the country, providing much-needed assistance to families affected by hunger and economic hardship.”

Development specialists have repeatedly argued that partnerships between government agencies, businesses and civil society organisations can strengthen humanitarian responses, particularly as economic pressures increase demand for emergency assistance.

Beneficiaries call for lasting peace

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Village Head of Changal Community, Mr. Titus Abednago, thanked the partners for providing relief to displaced families.

“This intervention has brought hope and relief to many families. We sincerely thank Fidelity Bank and all stakeholders for remembering our people during these challenging times. We also appeal for continued efforts to restore lasting peace so that our people can return to their farms and rebuild their livelihoods.”

His appeal reflects a wider concern among displaced communities that humanitarian aid, while essential, must be accompanied by improved security and long-term recovery programmes.

What next?

Fidelity Bank says it will continue expanding its Food Bank Initiative as part of its corporate social responsibility programme, supporting vulnerable communities across Nigeria facing hunger, economic hardship and displacement.

Humanitarian experts say sustained collaboration between financial institutions, governments and non-profit organisations will remain vital as many displaced Nigerians continue to require both emergency relief and long-term support.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) has announced plans to distribute 3,000 bicycles to schoolchildren in six Nigerian states as part of the second edition of its #BeatTheDistance initiative, designed to help children in underserved communities travel to school more easily.

The bicycles will be distributed in Ebonyi, Jigawa, Benue, Oyo, Akwa Ibom and Ekiti states, with the programme building on the company’s first rollout in 2019.

The initiative aims to reduce the burden of long daily walks to school, which education experts say can contribute to fatigue, absenteeism and poor academic performance, particularly in rural communities.

Why it matters

Millions of Nigerian children, especially in remote areas, still travel long distances on foot to attend school.

Education advocates have long argued that reducing transportation barriers can improve attendance, reduce dropout rates and help children spend more time learning instead of commuting.

While bicycle donation programmes alone cannot solve Nigeria’s education challenges, they are seen as practical interventions that can improve access to education for many rural pupils.

GTCO explains the programme

GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said the company views education as a long-term investment in society.

“Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and creating opportunities. Through the #BeatTheDistance Initiative, we are supporting students whose determination to learn is often tested by the distance they travel each day to access education. By providing these bicycles, our goal is to create an environment where more children can achieve their full potential by reducing fatigue, improving attendance at school, and expanding learning outcomes for children of school age.”

He added:

“At GTCO, we believe that meaningful impact comes from addressing real challenges within communities. #BeatTheDistance is one of the ways we are investing in the future by supporting young people and helping to create conditions that enable them to succeed. We remain committed to initiatives that promote inclusion, expand access to opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development.”

Expert perspective

Education specialists say transport remains one of the overlooked barriers to learning in many rural parts of Nigeria.

They note that while improved classrooms and teacher recruitment remain priorities, helping children reach school safely and consistently can also have a measurable impact on enrolment, attendance and academic performance.

Development experts also argue that partnerships between governments and private organisations can complement public education investments, particularly in underserved communities.

Public and industry perspective

Corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on education have become increasingly common among financial institutions in Nigeria.

What happens next?

GTCO says the bicycles will be distributed across the six selected states during the 2026 rollout.

The company says the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to education, youth empowerment and community development.

Its long-term goal is to help more children spend less time travelling and more time learning.

Impact on society

The initiative could benefit thousands of families by making school more accessible for children living far from their classrooms.

Education stakeholders say improving school attendance contributes not only to better learning outcomes but also to long-term economic development by helping more young people remain in school.