In a passionate push to tackle Nigeria’s growing literacy challenge, the founder of Standard Bearers School (SBS) and iAfrica Cloud School Foundation, Modupe Adeyinka-Oni, has unveiled a free digital phonics and literacy platform, EduLab 360, scheduled to go live on YouTube from August 1, 2025.
The announcement was made during Waloyo: The Musical Voyage, a colourful celebration of education, music and impact held on Thursday at the Alliance Française, Lagos.
Describing the EduLab 360 initiative as “a gift to Nigeria,” Adeyinka-Oni said the platform is designed to teach both children and adults how to read, write, and communicate effectively within nine months—at no cost.
“All you need is a smartphone or laptop. Gather children or adults in a cluster, play the video lessons, and in nine months, they’ll be reading. It’s that simple,” she said.
The educationist stressed that the programme will be a game-changer for underserved communities such as Makoko, helping to lift people out of poverty through basic literacy.
“We want to empower the woman selling akara who never had the chance to go to school. We want to reduce the number of beggars. We want to stop waiting for the government to do everything,” she added.
Established in 1996, SBS has carved a niche for itself as a centre of inclusive and transformative learning. The school’s CSR arm, iAfrica Cloud School Foundation—launched in 2021—has since scaled its impact using digital learning tools to reach a broader audience across Nigeria.
“Our mission has always been to bridge the education gap and show what’s possible when we invest in our children,” Adeyinka-Oni noted.
She revealed that EduLab 360 will also benefit teachers, who can model their instructional methods using the videos led by trained educators. The foundation plans to add foundational numeracy to the platform, eventually building a full K–12 curriculum.
While the programme has so far been self-funded, she called on NGOs, development agencies and government at all levels to partner with the foundation to expand its reach.
“It’s free. Let children in your public schools use it. Tell them it’s on YouTube. It doesn’t cost anything. People have phones—they just don’t know those phones can be used to learn,” she said.
Adeyinka-Oni expressed confidence that within five years, EduLab 360 will help reduce Nigeria’s illiteracy rate by at least 30 per cent.
“This is not just a government problem; it’s our problem. We all need to rise and be part of the solution if we want to make Nigeria work,” she said.
The event’s centrepiece, Waloyo: The Musical Voyage, featured a stirring showcase of student talents—group songs, solo performances, choral arrangements, and renditions of inspirational pieces such as Order My Steps, Don’t Worry, Be Happy, and I Need an Angel.
A standout moment was Eye Adaba, performed by SBS student Tiwa Olaniyan. Her rendition, themed around hope and the pursuit of dreams, drew rapturous applause.
“Eye Adaba is about flying high and chasing your dreams. SBS helped me believe I could do it. Now I know I’m a leader of my own,” Tiwa said.
For 11-year-old Shalom Nubi, the musical marked a personal milestone. “When I came to SBS, I couldn’t speak in front of people. Today, I stood on stage and sang. This is one of the best days of my life,” she said.
Award-winning singer and actress, Yinka Davies, who attended as a guest, was full of praise for the students’ performances.
“These children are the stars. The pitch, the clarity, the confidence—they owned the stage. What SBS is doing here is powerful. We all need to do our bit to build this nation,” she said.
With EduLab 360, SBS and its foundation are aiming not only to reform the education sector but also to reimagine what’s possible when technology and goodwill meet for the public good.
