PIND, Okomu Oil Launch Mega-Development Plan to Tackle Conflict, Boost Skills in Edo Communities

In a landmark commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (OOPC) have sealed a strategic ₦1.2 billion partnership aimed at transforming the socio-economic landscape of Okomu Oil’s host communities in Edo State.

The announcement, made public today, Monday, November 3, 2025, revealed the signing of a project-specific agreement for 2026, which builds on a standing three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organizations. The goal is to drive peacebuilding, improve livelihoods, and deepen inclusive growth across the 29 host communities in the Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, and Uhunmwonde Local Government Areas.

According to the joint statement, the substantial investment will address critical development gaps identified through a recent Community Needs Assessment. The initiative adopts a multi-pronged approach, focusing on peacebuilding, economic empowerment, and access to essential services.

Strategic Investment Areas

A major component of the plan is dedicated to Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. This will involve strengthening community dialogue platforms, training peace monitors, and establishing robust early warning systems to mitigate local conflicts, which are often a risk in resource-rich areas.

On the economic front, the partnership will aggressively tackle unemployment and improve local incomes. This includes empowering 3,000 smallholder oil palm farmers with modern, improved agricultural practices and better market linkages. Crucially, a model Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre will be established to train 60 young people, with a focus on skills like tailoring and the production of industrial coveralls, creating a direct supply chain to OOPC’s operations.

Furthermore, the N1.2 billion fund will promote access to finance for small and medium-scale businesses through financial literacy initiatives and a loan guarantee scheme. The partners will also support the deployment of a pilot solar mini-grid to provide reliable, clean power to vital community infrastructure like schools and health centres.

Mr. Sam Ogbemi Daibo, Executive Director of PIND, stated that the partnership demonstrates the transformative potential when the private sector and development organizations align. “This partnership embodies what we call ‘development through shared value.’ Together with Okomu, we are not only delivering social investment but building local capacity, peace, and self-reliance,” he said.

Dr. Graham Hefer, Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, reaffirmed the company’s decade-long commitment, noting that this collaboration with PIND “reinforces our commitment to peace, partnership, and the well-being of our host communities through long-term, measurable impact.”

The initiative is poised to serve as a model for responsible corporate citizenship in Nigeria, demonstrating how business profitability and social stability can be mutually reinforcing.