Kerojet MD Balogun Leads District Economic Empowerment Drive

Managing Director of Kerojet Services Limited, Mr. Femi Balogun, marked his birthday this year not with pomp, but with a powerful community economic empowerment drive that touched the lives of over 45 vulnerable individuals in Lagos.

Balogun’s commitment to social impact was on full display at NASFAT Mosque, Ipaja, where he distributed essential livelihood tools including barbering kits, POS terminals, hairdryers, and tailoring machines. The initiative forms part of his personal 7-7 Project, a birthday-aligned legacy programme designed to build sustainable livelihoods and reduce economic hardship, especially among Nigeria’s urban poor.

According to Balogun, economic empowerment must go beyond charity. “This is about legacy and structure. What we are doing here is not a one-off event but a model of impact that should outlive all of us,” he said at the event.

The beneficiaries, selected through an inclusive and transparent process, expressed deep gratitude for the life-changing support. POS recipient Adetunji Olabisi said, “This isn’t just a tool—it’s my lifeline. Mr. Femi Balogun has restored my ability to dream.” Tailor Oyindamola Tinuola, who received modern sewing equipment, added, “Now I can take more orders and provide for my children. This is real empowerment.”

Also in attendance, National Youth Amir of NASFAT, Mr. Tajudeen Olasupo, praised Balogun’s commitment to inclusivity. “This is not just about giving, but about vision. Mr. Balogun is investing in people and building capacity that will ripple for generations.”

One of the key highlights of the day was the groundbreaking of a new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre for the community. Fully funded by Balogun, the project revives a vision he once led as chairman of NASFAT’s National Youth Day Committee. The centre, once completed, will offer digital literacy training and access to digital tools for youth in the area.

Balogun explained that the ICT centre and empowerment items are part of a holistic strategy to equip the underserved with resources that encourage independence. “Our community economic empowerment drive is meant to cross boundaries—ethnic, religious, and gender lines. Christians, Muslims, and those of no faith have all benefited equally today.”

Since founding the Pillars Dream Living Foundation on his 40th birthday, Balogun has made philanthropy an enduring part of his personal mission. From installing boreholes and sponsoring school fees to distributing food during Ramadan, his initiatives have impacted lives in Lagos, Kano, and beyond.

He noted that in 2024, the foundation supported 25 families with grinding machines. This year’s edition reflects a growing commitment to scale and sustainability. “It’s no longer about how many people we’ve helped,” Balogun said. “It’s about how many communities we’ve transformed.”

With each act of giving, Mr. Femi Balogun continues to show that leadership in business must also extend to leadership in service. His example reinforces the belief that when personal milestones are matched with public good, the result is a better, stronger society.