In an environment defined by an increasingly undefinable notion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the Uber Nigeria team has been able to retain a distinguishable CSR template that is worthy of note. Its recent outing has shown that the ride-hailing company has made attending to the needs of the needy a priority.
In this post, I have traced a remarkable trend in the tech company’s projects and perhaps help us remember the good deeds that will perhaps help us realign the purpose of CSR in the first place:
Donations to Sierra Leone Mudslide Victims
When the mudslide, following a heavy rainfall in Sierra Leone occurred, it killed as many as 1000 people and left thousands in need of immediate assistance. The capital of Freetown was badly affected and many lost their homes and personal belongings.
In the wake of the incident, Uber made a call for donations to help those in need. This was executed in partnership with a UK-based charity organisation, Street Child
Help us help Sierra Leone! We’ll be matching every donation made to @streetchilduk so get donating. https://t.co/wcYCzjn4lg #UberCOMMUNITY pic.twitter.com/GwmXEn4KKn
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) August 31, 2017
The plea was targeted at Uber users in Nigeria and Ghana and the organizers claimed that they were used in providing emergency relief and long-term recovery support in Sierra Leone. This contribution, however little, must have been an immense blessing to some victims.
Contribution to JA Nigeria Children’s Day Celebration
Uber Nigeria also contributed visibly to the Junior Achievement Nigeria’s Children’s Day celebration event which was organized by JA Nigeria in partnership with Keystone bank.
We are excited to participate in the @JANigeria children's day celebration tomorrow! 😀 pic.twitter.com/OAKkiYAncF
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) May 24, 2017
Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, the world’s oldest and largest non-profit economic education organization operating in 120 countries.
It is dedicated to empowering students on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship through experiential, hands-on programmes. The party was meant to bring happiness to children on their special day and they, evidently, had a lot of fun.
We are live at the @JANigeria children's day celebration 🎉 pic.twitter.com/tWayiPUVO0
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) May 25, 2017
Moves fur days!! pic.twitter.com/Dil3sQb8G5
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) May 25, 2017
Makurdi Support Donations
Recall the Markudi floods that displaced about 110,000 persons in 24 communities in Benue state, including Makurdi on August 31st, 2017?

Well, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilize personnel and resources to provide aid to victims. But, like many other government aids, it wasn’t sufficient (if it was ever available). As a result, many corporate groups and individuals rallied support for the victims.
Guys @UberNigeria is collecting donations for people displaced by the flood in Benue
Pls read and RT so we can all get involved. pic.twitter.com/YuF39LC5Ll
— OSI. (@Osi_Suave) September 7, 2017
Although, it wasn’t able to provide the lump sums like many other bigger corporates, Uber Nigeria used its pools of cars to gather donations from its willing customers to deliver relief items to the victims.
Lagos, let's help those affected by the floods in Makurdi between 9AM – 2PM tomorrow and Friday! Details: https://t.co/wlQovYm1Zp pic.twitter.com/N5lTfaUnYk
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) September 6, 2017
Its volunteers were willing to pick up the donated items from each doorstep even in quite unfavourable weather conditions:
Come rain or shine we are picking up your donations on the island today! #UberCOMMUNITY pic.twitter.com/1ehsLO86rE
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) September 7, 2017
And that enabled many Nigerians to turn in their donations in numbers and enjoy some sense of fulfilment:
Thanks for helping Makurdi! Keep donating on the island guys!! #UberCOMMUNITY pic.twitter.com/xVHm5ZiIOD
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) September 7, 2017
Keep requesting guys #UberCOMMUNITY pic.twitter.com/33vMZdOqU9
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) September 7, 2017
Loading 'em up! #UberCOMMUNITY pic.twitter.com/X3ZbYmkCrM
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) September 7, 2017
Thank you guys for your donations on the Island! We will be picking up your donations on the Mainland from 10AM tomorrow. #UberCOMMUNITY pic.twitter.com/nj36FtnYTl
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) September 7, 2017
Keep the donations rolling in! Thanks for helping Markudi. #UberCOMMUNITY pic.twitter.com/cf6zd8hoNU
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) September 8, 2017
And the harvest was indeed plenty:
Wow Lagos! Thank you for helping Makurdi, we are overwhelmed ❤️#UberCOMMUNITY pic.twitter.com/XBXQDpRmtp
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) September 8, 2017
A Visit to the Modupe Cole Memorial Homeschool
This Valentine, while many other tech companies were celebrating their customers and maybe warming up for the #BlackPanther, members of the Uber team took out time to visit the Modupe Cole Memorial Homeschool in Yaba. The school was designed for special kids.
We are having so much Fun at Modupe Cole Memorial Homeschool! Check our Instastory to follow all the fun! pic.twitter.com/hBVIACLWdT
— Uber Nigeria (@UberNigeria) February 14, 2018
Activities included painting the vocational block and having a fun show with the children!
Spending the Day with the team at Modupe School Home School painting the vocational block and having a fun show with the children! #UberForLove pic.twitter.com/sVeT6JLJpx
— G.I (@GoldieIyamu) February 14, 2018
And the scenes are lifting:
2. @UberNigeria and Executive Initiative took time out to paint some of the buildings at Modupe cole, give out food and drinks and hang with the kids pic.twitter.com/lDrtoJqBX6
— OSI. (@Osi_Suave) February 14, 2018
3. Couldn't help but catch the infectious energy there despite everything going on. pic.twitter.com/3HUZoEhvgj
— OSI. (@Osi_Suave) February 14, 2018
Final Analysis
Uber has shown that it is not merely interested in making some income off Nigerians– its consistent CSR activities are indications of the heart of its policies. Maybe it is high time the tech community saved some resources for funding similar lofty projects. Perhaps, we will be able to soothe the immediate pain of people if more of these activities are channelled towards helping some segments of the society.
This way, we can further strengthen our perception of our communities, and get the inspiration to create solutions that meet actual problems.