By JKNewsMedia Reporter
AFRICA’s MOST comprehensive sustainability efforts were recognised as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation Limited emerged as the Most Responsible Organisation at the 2025 SERAS Sustainability Awards held in Lagos on Saturday night.
The 19th edition of Africa’s leading sustainability recognition platform, themed “Sustainability 2.0,” celebrated measurable impact, innovation, and full disclosure in development practice across the continent.
NNPC Foundation secured five major accolades, including Best in Decent Work, Best in Stakeholder Engagement, Best Company in Poverty Reduction, and Africa Sustainability Professional of the Year. The foundation’s overall win marked the prestigious continental prize.
Managing Director Emmanuella Arukwe said the awards validated the foundation’s measurable interventions across Nigeria. “This recognition affirms our position as a sustainability leader driving meaningful impact and innovation,” she stated during the award ceremony.
She emphasised that the accolades extended beyond the foundation, noting: “This win is for NNPC Limited. This win is for impact. This win is for Africa.”
Arukwe highlighted that the foundation’s programmes span health, education, cleaner energy, environmental sustainability, and poverty reduction across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
In the health sector, the foundation conducted more than 6,000 free cataract surgeries, restoring sight and livelihoods nationwide. Three wards with a total of 100 beds were renovated at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos. Nationwide cancer awareness and screening initiatives were expanded, with MRI machines provided to key health centres.
Education-focused interventions included distributing over 40,000 STEM books to public schools across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Financial literacy training reached 1,075,981 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, while 5,000 direct beneficiaries received start-up support to encourage youth empowerment.
Emergency and social relief efforts included delivering 30 truckloads of food, water, and medical supplies to flood-affected communities in Borno State.
Agricultural programmes targeted 15,085 vulnerable farmers, providing training on climate-smart practices, verified seedlings, and market strategies to enhance food security. Environmental projects featured tree-planting campaigns in Katsina State, establishment of community-based environmental clubs, and climate-resilience initiatives across multiple states.
Cleaner energy interventions saw the donation of 45 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to support public transport and Nigeria’s transition to sustainable energy. Arukwe confirmed that all projects undergo strict sustainability checks before implementation, ensuring long-term impact.
“All our initiatives are monitored to ensure long-term impact and measurable results,” she added, noting that in 2024 alone, 3,441 Nigerians were screened for breast, cervical, and prostate cancers as part of ongoing national interventions.
SERAS Africa Founder Ken Egbas commended NNPC Foundation for its commitment to sustainability and community empowerment. He said every award recipient demonstrated leadership worthy of recognition and emulation.
Egbas recalled that SERAS began in 2007 with modest beginnings and has grown into Africa’s most respected sustainability benchmark. This year, the awards received 325 entries covering 31 African countries. He described SERAS as the world’s second-oldest sustainability award after the Reuters Business Award and referred to the platform as the gold standard for sustainability excellence in Africa.
Highlighting the transformative effects of sustainability programmes, Egbas celebrated children returning to school, communities receiving clean water, and patients regaining sight. He emphasised that sustainability now defines global competitiveness and Africa’s economic future.
“Africa needs more. Africa deserves more. The future demands more,” he said, calling on leaders to commit to building a sustainable continent.
