Segilola Supports 96 Women and Students in Osun: How Host Communities Can Benefit from Future Programmes
Women entrepreneurs and students in three communities hosting the Segilola Gold Mine in Osun State have received new support through the 2026 Segilola Women Initiative Programme (SWIP) and the SROL Gold Scholarship Programme.
A total of 96 beneficiaries from Iperindo, Odo-Ijesha and Imogbara received business equipment or educational support at ceremonies held on August 20, 2026.
The programmes are run by Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), the Nigerian subsidiary of Thor Explorations Ltd. Thor says its community-development approach includes local employment, procurement, and structured community initiatives around its operations.
Women Entrepreneurs Receive Business Equipment
Under the 2026 SWIP, 30 women entrepreneurs received equipment selected according to their businesses.
The support included freezers, sewing machines, stoning machines, digesters, multipurpose grinders, gas burners, and cooler sets.
The purpose is to help beneficiaries increase production, serve more customers, and develop more sustainable businesses.
Three previous SWIP beneficiaries also received additional equipment to help them expand their businesses.
For example, one entrepreneur in Iperindo received an industrial sewing machine to increase production, while a beneficiary in Odo-Ijesha received a flour and maize grinder to diversify her processing activities.
In Imogbara, additional weaving and button-cover machines were provided to help an existing sewing business expand its services.
According to Thor Explorations, the SWIP has supported women in the host communities through successive editions. The company’s 2025 report also confirms that SWIP is one of its recurring community-development programmes.
63 Students Receive Scholarships
Education is another major area of support.
Through the SROL Gold Scholarship Programme, 63 students from the host communities received scholarships.
The beneficiaries comprised:
- 28 secondary-school students
- 35 tertiary students
Students were recognised based on academic performance, while top-performing beneficiaries also received laptops and learning devices to support digital learning.
Thor’s sustainability reporting describes the scholarship as an annual merit-based programme supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the host communities.
Who Can Benefit from Future Programmes?
An important point for residents outside the 2026 beneficiary list is that these programmes are designed around SROL’s host communities, particularly Iperindo, Odo-Ijesha and Imogbara.
That means interested residents should not assume that simply living elsewhere in Osun State automatically makes them eligible.
For future editions, women entrepreneurs and students should watch for official announcements, application windows and eligibility requirements from SROL or recognized community channels.
Women entrepreneurs
Women running small businesses in the host communities should keep evidence of their business activities and stay informed about future SWIP announcements.
Depending on the requirements for a particular edition, applicants may need to demonstrate that they operate a genuine business and provide relevant personal or business information.
Students
Students should maintain good academic records and monitor announcements about future scholarship screenings.
Because previous scholarship editions have been merit-based, strong academic performance may be important. Thor’s 2024 sustainability report also states that beneficiaries went through a screening process.
How to Avoid Missing Legitimate Opportunities
Residents interested in these programmes should:
1. Follow official company announcements. Use Thor Explorations’ official website and its reports and announcements for verified information.
2. Pay attention to community announcements. Because the initiatives focus on host communities, residents should also follow recognised community leadership and engagement channels for information about screenings or application processes.
3. Prepare early. Students should keep academic documents available, while entrepreneurs should maintain basic records of their businesses and the products or services they provide.
4. Never pay unofficial agents for a supposed scholarship or business support slot. Wait for an official announcement before submitting personal information or documents.
More Than One-Time Support
The programmes form part of a wider community-development approach around the Segilola operation.
Thor has reported other initiatives involving youth empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure, local employment and procurement in its host communities. In 2025, the company reported that 99% of employment associated with the Segilola Mine project was held by Nigerians, while local procurement also formed a significant part of its spending.
This means residents interested in opportunities around the mine should look beyond scholarships and women’s programmes and monitor legitimate announcements concerning skills development, local employment, procurement, and community initiatives.
“I appreciate SROL for recognizing the needs of women in our community and providing practical support. This equipment will help me serve more customers and increase my income.”- Adesuyi Titilope Elizabeth
SROL Community Development and Stakeholder Manager Madhurii Sarkar-Amoda also said:
“Women and youth are central to entrepreneurship and sustainability.”
The 2026 Segilola programmes show how business equipment and education support can create practical opportunities for people in mining host communities.
For residents of Iperindo, Odo-Ijesha, and Imogbara, the key takeaway is to stay informed. Women entrepreneurs should watch for future SWIP opportunities, while students should monitor scholarship announcements and maintain strong academic records.
The safest way to benefit is to rely on official announcements and recognised community channels, prepare the required documents early, and avoid anyone asking for money in exchange for a guaranteed place.
