Nigerian NGO in pact with British group to promote education

A Nigerian organisation, Youth Orientation for Development (YOD), a non-profit, UNESCO-accredited, Non-Governmental Organiation (NGO), has entered into a partnership deal with the British International Education Association (BIEA).

BIEA is a not-for-profit membership organisation in London which promotes British educational values, offering access to an international audience of young people, according to officials, with Nikki Collins, the CEO, as BIEA point person.

The Nigerian NGO which was established in 2001 and registered as a non-profit, non-religious and non-partisan organisation with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja in 2002 is to work with BIEA on educational programmes.

BIEA works both in the early years and STEM subjects, and empower young people, especially girls and those from the global south, to develop their science capital and STEM skills.

The partnership would focus on STEM, international youth exchange programme in the Uk, school owners and head teacher’s short training and education tour.

Both parties would organise or support initiatives like the International STEM Youth Innovation Competition where young people work on real-world challenges (e.g environment, technology, sustainability).

According to the Nigerian coordinator, Emmanuel Ejiogu, this helps to build problem-solving and innovation skills; encourage teamwork and creativity; expose youth to global scientific challenges.

“We shall also promote STEM education and youth exchange by combining education, innovation, and international exposure—helping young people gain practical skills, global perspectives, and opportunities to become future scientists, engineers, and leaders.”

As a UNESCO NGO promoting the ideals of UNESCO in Education, Science and Culture, YOD also has a partnership status with the United Nations Information Centre.

According to Ejiogu, YOD is recognised and affiliated with the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Federal Ministry of Science & Technology and Federal Ministry of Information and Culture as an Implementing NGO.

Ejiogu said: “Our drive is to empower and develop youth to become useful and productive citizens.

“We employ STEM, practical skill acquisition programmes, public health enlightenment campaigns, counseling and education as vital tools for our work. We are also concerned with the protection of youth rights, development and empowerment through continuous orientation towards positive values.”

On how this would be of benefit to Nigerians, Ejiogu said: “Overall, STEM and youth exchange programmes empower Nigerians with skills, exposure, innovation capacity, and global connections, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to personal success and national development.”

He said the partnership is a continuous and that both countries or parties have obligations and benefits from the partnership deal because it is a two-way thing. Not less than 100 persons would benefit in one year, he said.