Raheem Akingbolu writes on the need for business owners to factor Corporate Social Responsibility into their growth philosophy, citing the example of the construction pace setter -Julius Berger that has consistently used CSR to galvanize community development as well as deepening its brand equity

One major index to measure business growth and development is the impact such business has on the society. Beyond profit making, a successful company must be seen to have a well-defined Corporate Social Responsibility philosophy. In fact, findings and records have since shown that organisations that invest in CSR grow alongside their societies because patrons see them to be more socially responsible. Extensive research has also proved that CSR and a strong sense of employee purpose actively contribute to increased employee engagement.

For Julius Berger, a household construction company in Nigeria with footprint in all the nooks and crannies of the country, the above scenario appears to be working for it, considering its growth on both sides of the coin. Outside its focus of building infrastructures, the company has made a significant impact in the area of corporate social responsibility, touching lives and rendering social services to communities across Nigeria.

Beyond infrastructure projects, Julius Berger has successfully defined its role in communities by prioritizing local communities, embracing social responsibility, and promoting inclusive growth. According to its CSR philosophy, the company aims to contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable socio-economic development by positively impacting people’s lives, supporting community well-being, and fostering long-term societal progress. Additionally, Julius Berger recognizes that strong community relations are essential for maintaining public trust, protecting its brand reputation, and ensuring business success.

The company’s overarching philosophy regarding CSR and community development is hinged on four pillars; education and human capital development, community development and inclusivity, philanthropy and social welfare and emergency response.

Looking at Julius Berger’s CSR profile, Head, Corporate Communications, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Emieseifa James Agama, identifies the most pressing needs within host communities 

through community engagements where challenges faced by the community are identified and appraised based on Julius Berger’s CSR pillars.

At the last count, Julius Berger’s community initiatives have directly impacted lives through several programs. For instance, in the area of education, the ‘Aid a School Project’ has improved educational infrastructure by constructing and rehabilitating classrooms, providing furniture, and supplying learning materials to schools across Nigeria. Under women empowerment, the Female Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme has provided financial support to over 150 young women pursuing construction-focused degrees, promoting gender diversity in STEM.

In the area of healthcare, the company has so far sponsored 12 life-saving open-heart surgeries for children at the Federal Medical Centre Jabi, Abuja as well as rehabilitating and furnishing the intensive care unit at Gbagada General Hospital Lagos.

To give youths a sense of belonging, sports and youth development: supports grassroots programs of the company including donations to the Lagos State Government Grassroots Soccer Program and sponsoring a friendly match for the National Deaf Football Association, has helped many youths to discover their potentials.

In the area of vocational and technical training, Julius Berger offers hands-on training in masonry, carpentry, welding, and electrical work to enhance employability.

To deepen technical education, there are also internships and apprenticeships under which the company provides real-world experience for engineering and construction students through industry collaborations

On what motivates Julius Berger’s to invest in these educational programs, the company has consistently stated that its motivation   stems from its CSR commitment to education and human capital development, one of its four core pillars. The company recognizes that quality education and skills training are essential for sustainable socio-economic growth.

By supporting schools, scholarships, and vocational training, Julius Berger aims to, among other things; empower the next generation with knowledge and technical skills, bridge the gender gap in STEM fields by supporting female students, enhance employability in the construction industry through practical training as well as fostering long-term community growth by developing local talent.

During COVID-19, Julius Berger’s, through its response initiative, provided PPE, beds, food relief, and sanitation resources to support frontline workers and vulnerable communities. To prevent malaria, the construction company has in recent time distributed over 15,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to protect children and pregnant women. Along this line, it has been involved in emergency response, which informed how it assisted in rescue efforts for the Ikoyi building collapse and provided technical support for demolition of unsafe structures. 

In Kano, it is also on record that through cultural heritage preservation, the company restored the historic Bonny Consulate Building and Soron Ingila at the Emir’s Palace.

These initiatives showcase Julius Berger’s dedication to social responsibility, improving education, healthcare, and overall community well-being.

Unlike some organisations, Julius Berger’s goes beyond provision of amenities because from time to time, it measures the success and long-term impact of its community development programs through several key indicators. One, it can be through tangible infrastructure improvements, whereby the company evaluates the completion and functionality of educational, healthcare, and cultural heritage projects, such as rehabilitated schools, sponsored surgeries, and restored historical landmarks. It can also be through what is called Beneficiary Reach and Impact, which involves tracking the number of individuals directly benefiting from initiatives like scholarships, malaria prevention programs, and sports development efforts.

Another strong indicator is the Sustained Social and Economic Growth, through which the company assesses how projects contribute to long-term socio-economic development, such as increased school enrolment, improved healthcare access, and enhanced community well-being.

Of course, there is community engagement and feedback, under which the company gathers input from local stakeholders, beneficiaries, and government bodies to ensure initiatives align with community needs and drive meaningful change.  Again, there is Corporate Reputation and Stakeholder Trust that involves monitoring public perception, brand equity, and relationships with host communities to maintain credibility and avoid risks like public opposition or legal challenges. The last indicator according to the company is the Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is achievable through measuring of how projects support global sustainability efforts, particularly in education, healthcare, gender equality, and economic growth.

By using these metrics, Julius Berger ensures its CSR efforts create lasting positive change while reinforcing its role as a responsible corporate citizen.

According to the Head, Corporate Communications, these initiatives align with the company’s goal of building a skilled workforce and contributing to Nigeria’s overall development.

He said, “In the last few years, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has successfully addressed the skills gap in the Nigerian workforce by equipping youths with practical knowledge and industry-relevant expertise. One, there is vocational and technical training that provides hands-on training in masonry, carpentry, welding, and electrical work, ensuring a skilled labour force for Nigeria’s construction industry. There are also internships and apprenticeships through which it offers real-world experience for engineering and construction students, enhancing job readiness. Other initiatives are; female undergraduate scholarship scheme and education infrastructure support. By aligning training with industry needs, Julius Berger helps reduce unemployment, boost local expertise, and drive economic development in Nigeria,” 

On the local economy, record has shown that Julius Berger’s employment practices significantly impact local economies through job creation, skills development, community empowerment and long term sustainability. For instance, year in, year out, the company employs thousands of Nigerians across construction, engineering, and administrative roles, reducing unemployment. Under long-term sustainability, the company equips employees with transferable skills, strengthening Nigeria’s labour market and infrastructure sector.