Global cloud communications leader, Infobip, through its Nigerian regional team, has announced a strategic community initiative in partnership with the Whitefield Foundation to accelerate educational outcomes for students in Lagos.

The project delivered over 650 specialised textbooks and essential library infrastructure to Wesley Girls Secondary School and Ladilak Institute Primary School, targeting long-term academic excellence.

The initiative moves beyond traditional donation models by focusing on sustainable infrastructure. In addition to the textbooks, Infobip invested in the procurement of new library shelving and the restoration of existing units to create high-functioning learning environments. To ensure the longevity of the investment, the Infobip team committed to ongoing training sessions for school staff, focusing on modern library management and resource optimisation.

Addressing the educational gap

The urgency of this intervention is underscored by recent data from UNICEF, which identifies 18.3 million Nigerian children as currently out of school, the highest figure globally. Furthermore, 74 percent of children aged 7-14 in classrooms lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills. By providing direct access to quality learning materials, Infobip is working to bridge this “learning poverty” gap.

“At Infobip, we believe that communication is the foundation of progress, and education is the ultimate form of communication,” said Isaac Akanni, speaking on behalf of Infobip Nigeria. “This initiative is about more than just resources; it is about catalysing the next generation. We are committed to providing the tools and the inspiration that will empower these students to navigate and lead in an increasingly digital world.”

Empowering students through career mentorship

To complement the physical infrastructure, the handover ceremony featured a career mentorship session. Final-year and graduate students from the University of Lagos and Babcock University, including Deborah Ayinla, Tobi Lateef, and Inioluwa Olukuade, shared insights on the transformative power of quality education, aligning with Infobip’s vision of fostering professional excellence from the ground up.

Representing the beneficiary schools, Jegede, Principal of Wesley Girls Secondary School, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership:
“A library is the intellectual heart of a school, and Infobip has breathed new life into ours. This infrastructure does not just provide books; it provides our students with a structured environment to think, research, and excel. This partnership is a significant boost to our mission of delivering world-class education despite local challenges.”

Funmi Johnson, Executive Director of Whitefield Foundation, noted that the project is a testament to the power of public-private synergy in reducing poverty through “economically viable skills and quality education.”

Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with almost two decades journalism experience writing on banking, finance, capital markets, and tax. The multiple awards winning journalist is Assistant Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA). Other trainings Iheanyi attended include: Economic/Political Risk Analysis (By Thomson Reuters Foundation); International Financial Journalism (IFJ) (By PMA Media Training, UK); Effective Business Writing Skills (By Phillips Consulting); Reporting on Corporate Governance (By International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Thomson Reuters Foundation UK); etc. In addition, he has participated in high-level economy & markets events in Dubai, South Africa, Morocco, and other African countries like Zambia, Ghana and Gambia.

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