Education is a fundamental human right and a key driver of sustainable development. It serves as the foundation for individual growth, economic development, and social stability.
However, despite its significance, education remains out of reach for millions of children globally, especially in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria lags behind in education development due to inadequate funding, leading to poor infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and low teacher salaries, among others.
With the world increasingly advancing toward automation and artificial intelligence (AI), the role of education takes on an even greater significance.
In this era of technological acceleration, where machine-driven systems are transforming industries and reshaping societies, education must prepare individuals not just to adapt, but to lead, with agency, creativity, and purpose.
The urgency of this mission is underscored by sobering statistics. According to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024, 251 million children and youth are still not in school globally.
Regional disparities remain stark with 33 percent of school-aged children and youth in low-income countries out of school, compared to only three percent in high-income countries. More than half of all out-of-school children and adolescents in the world are in the sub-Saharan African region.
In Nigeria, where nearly half of the population is under 18, an estimated 18.3 million children are out of school a glaring indicator of the systemic barriers that hinder access to education in regions with vast human potential.
In a country where youth make up a significant portion of the population, the need for accessible, quality education is not only a moral imperative but also a critical factor in shaping the nation’s future.
The 2025’s International Day of Education, themed “AI and education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” calls for a global reflection on the intersection of education and technology.
It challenges all stakeholders to envision a future where education empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of AI while safeguarding the distinctly human qualities of creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.
For Nigeria, and indeed the world, this is not just an opportunity but an imperative to ensure that education remains a tool for human empowerment, even in an age dominated by machines.
Globally, initiatives such as Finland’s “Elements of AI” programme equips citizens with the knowledge to navigate AI technologies, emphasizing ethical considerations and human-centric applications.
Rwanda’s “Smart Classrooms” initiative exemplifies how technology can bridge the digital divide, providing equitable access to tools that enhance learning. Similarly, India’s E-Pathshala platform democratises education by delivering free, digital resources to underserved communities, ensuring that technology remains a force for inclusion rather than exclusion.
Since its inception in 2011, Oando Foundation, an independent charity dedicated to supporting the Nigerian government in achieving its Universal Basic Education goals, has been at the forefront of transforming Nigeria’s educational landscape. Its interventions are designed to address the multifaceted challenges and barriers to access quality education.
A key component of the Foundation’s efforts is the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into its educational framework and curriculum. Recognising the pivotal role of digital literacy in the 21st century, the Foundation has implemented ICT programmes to equip students with essential skills to thrive in an increasingly automated world.
Read also: Breaking the mold: A new paradigm for Nigerian education
Till date, the foundation has established 39 solar-powered ICT centers, fully equipped with furniture, solar powered inverters, computers, projectors, printers, NERDC-approved ICT educational software and relevant teaching and learning materials.
These centers provide digital resources tailored to meet the learning needs of different age groups, enriching the learning experience by offering a wide range of activities through the practical and creative use of computers.
In 2014, Oando Foundation further expanded the impact of its ICT centers by partnering with the U.S. State Department’s Global Partnership Initiative, LIONS@FRICA, CoderDojo, and the Hello World Foundation to launch AfriCoderDojo.
This initiative was focused on teaching 21st-century coding skills to students aged 7 to 17. Additionally, in 2017 in collaboration with Theirworld UK and Codecademy, the Foundation piloted a digital literacy curriculum at Olisa Primary School in Lagos State, benefiting over 300 students and teachers.
The Foundation’s commitment also extends to teacher training, enhancing educators’ abilities to deliver quality education that incorporates technological tools effectively.
Since its inception, the foundation has trained 2832 teachers on subject knowledge and modern pedagogy, 382 school managers and local government education officers on school management and leadership while also providing support and mentorship for trained teachers, including EMIS related outputs.
Over 268 school based management committees have been trained on school improvement, out-of-school mobilization, advocacy, and resource mobilisation.
Additionally, the foundation’s current LEARNOVATE strategy – focused on prioritising innovation and investments in foundational learning to create better life opportunities for children and youth through equitable, quality, and climate-sensitive education.
This programme is designed to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills mastery, develop green skills, and provide sector thought leadership. These objectives align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for quality education, affordable and clean energy, climate action, and industry innovation and infrastructure.
The LEARNOVATE programme significantly addresses the issue of out-of-school children and learning poverty by providing equal opportunities to learn and thrive.
The foundation champions innovation in education by enhancing educators’ capacity to improve foundational literacy, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), and overall learning outcomes.
In line with the theme of the 2024 International Day of Education, the call to transform education through innovation and technology is urgent. Oando Foundation recognises the importance of equipping children and youth with essential skills for a sustainable and inclusive future.
By providing access to technology and fostering digital competencies, the Foundation remains committed to ensuring that Nigerian children are not left behind in the global shift towards AI and automation.
Through its programs and interventions, Oando Foundation is addressing educational disparities and empowering the next generation to thrive in an increasingly digital and climate-conscious world.
The truth remains that Nigerian education stakeholders and corporate organisations must join hands with the government as it is done in many other countries to develop and sustain quality learning outcomes in the country.
Nigerian education sector, just like others elsewhere have to seek to supplementary funding in order meet the unprecedented digital learning demands of the contemporary world.
According to Emmanuel Nnadozie, an Economist, there are several broad typologies of financing tertiary education that has been observed across countries.
“The first is the government financing model characterised by no or low tuition fees and a generous student support system. This model is common in countries such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway among others.
The second model is the government and private individuals’ shared responsibility. This is characterised by high tuition fees and well-developed student support system. USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Holland and New Zealand among others are in this group.”
Corporate organisations can borrow a leaf from Oando Foundation in developing Nigeria’s digital education at the lower cadre of learning in the country. That way Nigeria’s quest for a digitalised education and society can be achieved!
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