Odu’a Investment, NPO, others promote economic growth at South West Philanthropy Summit
L-R : Rev Bunmi Jenyo, Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Osun State, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman, Airtel Foundation, Mrs Abike Dabiri Erewa, OON, Chairman, NIDCOM, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Group Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mrs Abimbola Salu - Hundeyin, SSG, Lagos State, Mr Temitope Adekunle- Johnson, Special Adviser to President on Job creation and MSMEs, Mrs Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke, Chairperson Nigeria Office for Philanthropy and Impact Investing, Mrs Folashade Ambrose- Medebem, Commissioner for Commerce,Trade, Industry and Investment, Lagos State, Ms. Sola Arobieke, Special adviser to the Gov of Ogun State on investment promotion and Mrs Omotayo Adeola, Commissioner for commerce, Trade, industry and investment, Ekiti State
Nike Popoola
Financial leaders, government and development stakeholders gathered in Lagos on Friday for the maiden edition of the South West Philanthropy Summit, a platform created to explore ideas and initiatives that can significantly boost philanthropic impact, particularly in tackling the issue of unemployment, and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in the region.
The event was jointly organized by the Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the investment holding company owned by the six South West states of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Philanthropy Office (NPO) in the Office of the Vice President, and aimed to engage stakeholders on the evolving role of philanthropy in the region’s socioeconomic development.
The Group Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited and Chairperson of the Summit, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, emphasized that the NPO’s mandate is to catalyze support for philanthropic investments targeted at Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in high-potential sectors for job creation.
“Given the critical role MSMEs play in any economy, this mandate presents a remarkable opportunity to drive economic transformation across the country,” Ashiru said.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu commended South West philanthropists, NGOs, and private sector partners for uniting to seek practical ways of amplifying philanthropy’s impact in Nigeria.
“Your financial contributions, volunteer efforts, and advocacy are already making a real difference in our communities,” the governor said. “Still, much remains to be done to ensure that resources are deployed transparently and effectively, so more people can benefit and be truly empowered.”
Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of evolving from ad-hoc charitable gestures to strategic and sustainable giving that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He called for philanthropy to embrace innovation and collaboration to drive long-term societal growth.
“Our administration is firmly committed to this vision, as seen in our continued investments in empowering vulnerable communities,” he added.
The governor also praised Otunba Ashiru as a visionary leader and seasoned banker whose contributions to public service and private sector development demonstrate a deep commitment to poverty alleviation and regional growth.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya spoke on the role of private sector philanthropy, emphasizing that it must go beyond one-off cash donations.
“Private sector-led philanthropy transforms communities when it adopts a needs-based approach, promotes stakeholder engagement, and ensures deeper and wider reach of interventions,” Dr. Ogunsanya said. “When done right, it becomes a sustainable catalyst for growth.”
