IHS Nigeria Limited has trained school pupils across five states in community development and volunteerism in line with its commitment to sustainability and social impact.

This is in commemoration of the 2025 International Volunteers Day.

The initiative engaged pupils in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano and Oyo states, with activities designed to instil the values of selfless service, communal living and social responsibility in young people.

Speaking at the Lagos centre of the event held at Obele Community High School, Surulere, on Thursday, the Sustainability Director of IHS Nigeria Limited, Titilope Oguntuga, said the programme was aimed at catching children young and preparing them for active participation in community development.

Oguntuga disclosed this in a statement she signed on Thursday.

According to her, the company deliberately chose to mark International Volunteers Day with pupils to nurture a culture of social responsibility from an early age.

“At IHS Nigeria, we believe that sustainability begins with people and that strong, empowered communities are built through meaningful connections and acts of kindness.

“This belief continues to guide our commitment to initiatives that uplift lives, create opportunities and inspire hope, especially among children, who represent the future we all share,” Oguntuga said.

She described the event as more than a celebration, noting that it was intended to promote inclusion, encouragement and confidence among the pupils.

“Today’s celebration is more than a gathering; it is an expression of love, inclusion and encouragement. It is a reminder that every child deserves to feel valued, seen and supported,” she added.

Oguntuga also commended IHS volunteers, teachers and community partners for their support, stressing that collective action was key to shaping a future where every child could thrive.

Similar programmes were held simultaneously in Abuja, Enugu, Kano and Oyo states.

The organisers said the initiative was designed not only to commemorate International Volunteers Day but also to inspire pupils to embrace communal living and serve as positive ambassadors within their communities.

Earlier, the Executive Director of Focus Teens Foundation, the implementing partner for the initiative, Olaonipekun Kazeem, described the programme as timely and impactful.

“This initiative is meant to give back to the community by nurturing future leaders in the act of selfless service, communal living and community development,” Kazeem said.

He added that the programme had strengthened the relationship between IHS Nigeria and its host communities while positioning the company positively in the minds of pupils, parents and local stakeholders.

The event featured interactive and educational activities, including spelling bees, movie screenings and review sessions, games and the distribution of gift items, aimed at enriching the pupils’ learning experience and creating lasting memories.

In May, the IHS Nigeria announced a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to enhance the protection of critical telecommunications infrastructure across the country.

The partnership was aimed at addressing the persistent challenges of theft, sabotage and vandalism affecting tower sites.