Sahara Group has awarded three University of Lagos (UNILAG) academics $12,000 each under its 2025 Making A Difference (MAD) Grant, expanding a sustainability-driven initiative launched in 2024.
The grants target youth entrepreneurship, digital skills development, and faculty governance reform with plans to replicate the model across Africa.
Corporate Grants Target Youth, Digital, Governance Gaps
Sahara Group has awarded three academics at UNILAG $12,000 each under the 2025 cycle of its MAD Grant, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and human capital growth in Africa.
The announcement builds on the initiative's inaugural edition in 2024 and signals plans to expand the grant model to other African universities.
The energy conglomerate said the second edition prioritised projects with measurable outcomes in youth employment, digital transformation, and institutional governance reform.
Who, What, When, How
The 2025 awardees, including Professor Sunday Abayomi Adebisi, Dr Victor Odumuyiwa, and Professor Abdul-Hameed Sulaimon, will deploy the funding to scale initiatives already demonstrating impact within the university ecosystem.
Each recipient receives $12,000 to expand existing programmes.
Professor Adebisi is scaling the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Certification (EIBIC) programme, which has supported over 20,000 students in identifying and launching ventures within their disciplines.
"The $12,000 MAD Grant provides critical resources to accelerate our mission of turning every student into a job creator," he said.
Dr Odumuyiwa will expand digital skills mentorship at the NITDA IT Hub (NITHUB), where more than 20,000 individuals have been trained in areas including artificial intelligence.
"Strategic funding like the MAD Grant is essential for sustaining the momentum of our digital transformation efforts," he noted.
Professor Sulaimon's project focuses on re-engineering faculty administration, aiming to improve operational efficiency and academic performance within the Faculty of Management Sciences.
"The MAD Grant provides crucial validation and practical support for our governance improvement efforts," he said.
Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to amplify sustainable solutions with systemic impact.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola commended the partnership, calling the grant "a catalytic force for innovation at UNILAG."
2025 MAD Grant Overview
| Focus Area | Project Lead | Scale Indicator | Grant Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship | Prof. S.A. Adebisi | Over 20,000 students engaged | $12,000 |
| Digital Skills | Dr. V. Odumuyiwa | Over 20,000 individuals trained | $12,000 |
| Governance Reform | Prof. A-H. Sulaimon | Faculty efficiency improvements | $12,000 |
Why It Matters for Africa
Sahara Group says its selection process emphasised scalability and measurable outcomes.
The Director of Governance and Sustainability, Ejiro Gray, noted that each award represents "an investment in sustainable systems," whether creating entrepreneurs, developing digital talent, or strengthening institutional frameworks.
The rationale reflects a broader development challenge: youth unemployment, digital capacity gaps, and governance inefficiencies remain structural constraints across many African economies.
By embedding solutions within university systems, the initiative aims to translate academic excellence into socioeconomic impact.
Strategic Alignment of MAD Grants
| Development Challenge | Institutional Lever | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Unemployment | Entrepreneurship certification | Venture creation, job multipliers |
| Digital Inclusion Gap | AI & tech mentorship | Workforce readiness |
| Governance Inefficiencies | Administrative re-engineering | Operational transparency, resource optimisation |
Sahara Group has indicated plans to replicate the MAD Grant model across Africa, partnering with additional universities to build a continent-wide network of innovation hubs.
Action: Scaling Academic Impact Across Borders
The company's expansion strategy signals a shift from isolated corporate philanthropy to systems-oriented investment in education and governance reform.
If replicated effectively, the model could position universities as anchors for entrepreneurship pipelines, digital ecosystems, and innovation for governance.
For policymakers and investors, the initiative signifies the opportunities for structured corporate-academic partnerships in driving sustainable development outcomes.
Path Forward – Scaling University-Led Sustainable Systems
Sahara Group plans to expand its MAD Grant beyond the University of Lagos, partnering with institutions across Africa to replicate successful models in entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and governance reform
The focus remains on measurable impact, scalability, and institutional strengthening, with the goal of sustainable systems that outlast grant cycles and translate academic innovation into long-term socioeconomic progress.
