CSR in Nigeria

CSR-in-Action, Nigeria’s premier business and ethical networking platform for Collective and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria, has recently launched the nation’s first ever comprehensive report on all corporate social responsibility and social impact initiatives.

The report, which includes information on free summaries of CSR activities of individual organizations, social development initiatives of Foundations and non-profits and information on public/private partnerships amongst others, has been endorsed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

The launch took place immediately after a comedic skit by popular Comedian, Teju Babyface, with CSR-in-Action’s Executive Director and Founder, Bekeme Masade-Olowola, presenting a copy of the compendium titled ‘Annual Sustainability Report: Nigeria 2012’ to three icons of sustainability present at the occasion, Dr Usman Shamsuddeen, Minister, National Planning Commission, for his untiring pursuit for sustained economic growth in Nigeria, Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited, on recognition of  his devotion to social development of the nation and Mr Frank Nweke Jr, Director General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), for his vision of a rebranded Nigeria and his work on youth development.

Mrs Masade-Olowola said: “I stand here today, proud to present to you Nigeria’s first comprehensive report on social investment involving the activities of private, government and third sector organisations, titled Annual Sustainability Report: Nigeria 2012. We hope that this report will achieve what we intended for it; to promote partnerships as well as encourage ethical behavior through peer example. If just one entity decides to proactively pursue sustainability as a business model after reading this document, our work would have been accomplished”

She further stated that, “Everyone has their own little contribution to make towards placing Nigeria in its rightful place amongst the committee of nations. This is CSR-in-Action’s own contribution towards achieving that reality. I am thankful for the support of the Nigerian Economic Group who made it possible for this launch to be done in the presence of key stakeholders. I hope this will be proof to doubting organizations as to the sincerity of our mission”.

This recently launched compendium is a sample document, with the launch of the final compilation slated for February, 2012. The report is a one-stop document which will provide key stakeholders and other interested parties with pertinent information on sustainability practices within different organizations from the different sectors of the Nigerian economy and would in addition, include topical articles from leading scholars in the various fields of sustainable development, both local and international, present focus interviews with senior management of leading initiatives as well as provide contact details for reviewed entities.

CSR-in-Action is a social enterprise founded in Nigeria which began operations in August 2010. The organization is a membership body whose core focus is to encourage governments, non-profits, businesses and individuals to work collaboratively towards the unified goal of national unity, social ethics, professionalism and sustainable development in Africa.