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  • Oando Foundation lauded for supporting education access

    Oando Foundation lauded for supporting education access

    By Afolabi Idowu

    In a strong show of support for public-private sector-led interventions in education, Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Josephine Piyo, has commended Oando Foundation, an independent charity established to support the Nigerian government in achieving its Universal Basic Education goal for its ongoing commitment to reintegrate out-of-school children through its LEARNOVATE-FLIP (Foundational Learning Improvement Programme) initiative.

    Speaking during the official handover of back-to-school materials in Jos, Plateau State, the Deputy Governor described the intervention as a vital support for children who have been excluded from educational opportunities, aligning with the state’s commitment to expand access to inclusive and equitable basic education.

    She said: “Today marks a significant step in our collective efforts to improve the quality of education in Plateau State. It is heartwarming to witness the commitment of organizations like the Oando Foundation in supporting the education sector. Education is the key to unlocking the potential of every child and paving the way for a brighter future. By providing back-to-school learning materials to enroll out-of-school children, we are giving them the tools to succeed in life. I express my gratitude to the Oando Foundation for their generous support in organizing this event. Their dedication to promoting education and empowering communities is truly commendable. This distribution of learning materials will have a profound impact — not only enhancing learning but also instilling a sense of confidence and belonging in every child reached.’

    Also present at the event were key stakeholders from federal, state, and local government levels, including Builder Sunday Samuel Amuna, Chairman of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Mrs. Keithleen Rahab Favour Nyango, Director of Schools, Ministry of Education; Isaiah Yauta Sambo, Education Secretary, Jos North; and Mrs. Bangtu Jennifer Michael (JP), Education Secretary, Mangu LGEA.

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    Others in attendance included HRH Ujah Anaguta, Pozo Johnson Jauro Magaji II, Traditional Ruler of Jos North; and representatives of HRH Da John Putmang Hirse, Chairman, Traditional Ruler of Mangu.

    The Foundation donated 1,000+ back to school kits to newly enrolled out of school children across communities in Jos North and Mangu Local Government Areas in Plateau State, under its LEARNOVATE-FLIP programme. Each kit includes backpacks, stationery sets, exercise books, handwriting books, school uniforms, and sandals, all aimed at improving school readiness and supporting learning continuity for vulnerable children.

    Anchored on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, the LEARNOVATE-FLIP initiative adopts a holistic approach that integrates early-grade reading strategies and remedial instruction to strengthen core academic skills in underserved communities.

    This initiative builds on Oando Foundation’s current LEARNOVATE strategy centered around improving foundational learning through innovative approaches and promoting sustainability within educational systems.

  • Oando Foundation to enhance literacy, numeracy in Nigeria

    Oando Foundation to enhance literacy, numeracy in Nigeria

    Oando Foundation, an independent charity established to support the Nigerian government in achieving its Universal Basic Education goal has reaffirmed its commitment to improving foundational literacy and numeracy in Nigeria with the launch of the Foundational Learning Improvement Programme (LEARNOVATE – FLIP).

    This pioneering initiative, in collaboration with Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa, Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA) & Hilltrust Top Foundation, leverages evidence-based methods to address the learning crisis in Nigeria and build stronger educational outcomes for pupils across four states: Ebonyi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Adamawa.

    Anchored on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, the LEARNOVATE – FLIP initiative integrates two methodologies taking a targeted approach to enhance inclusive and equitable quality education: Early Grade Reading (EGR) co-implemented by QEDA and Hilltrust Top Foundation, focuses on foundational literacy for primary 1–3 pupils in Ebonyi, Plateau, and Sokoto States. By employing mother tongue and English materials, the initiative ensures pupils build strong reading and comprehension skills. Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) executed in partnership with TaRL Africa, provides remedial literacy and numeracy support for primary 4–6 pupils in Adamawa State, particularly those with interrupted schooling.

    Speaking on the launch of LEARNOVATE-FLIP, Tonia Uduimoh, Head, Oando Foundation commented “We are excited to introduce the Foundational Learning Improvement Programme as part of our LEARNOVATE strategy, in line with our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every child, especially in underserved communities, has access to quality education. By incorporating evidence-based methodologies and focusing on lesson instructions and assessments in mother-tongue, we aim to address the existing learning gaps among young learners and create a deeper understanding of how to improve educational outcomes for Nigerian students.

    The impact of this pilot will not only inform future educational practices but will also support the achievement of the United Nations’ SDG 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Ultimately, our goal is to empower children with the foundational skills they need to succeed, contributing to the sustainable growth and development of their communities and Nigeria as a whole.”

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    This initiative builds on Oando Foundation’s current LEARNOVATE strategy centered around improving foundational learning through innovative approaches and promoting sustainability within educational systems. A key component, LEARNING, focuses on prioritizing innovation in education to promote equity and improve learning and skills – targeting in-school children and youth. By leveraging technology and fostering partnerships, LEARNOVATE aims to bridge educational gaps and build future-ready skills and strengthen state and community structures to sustain these improvements. The program also aims to empower education officers with the capacity to create more engaging and impactful classroom experiences, ultimately ensuring a more robust and long-lasting improvement in learning outcomes.

    Also commenting on the initiative, Rt Hon, Mrs. Patience Ogodo, Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ebonyi State commended Oando Foundation’s efforts, noting: “We commend Oando Foundation for its unwavering commitment to transforming education in Nigeria. The LEARNOVATE-FLIP initiative represents a strategic and impactful response to the pressing challenges of foundational literacy and numeracy, particularly for children in underserved communities. By integrating evidence-based methodologies and prioritising inclusive approaches such as mother-tongue assessments, this program not only improves learning outcomes but also empowers students to realize their full potential. We are proud to collaborate on this transformative journey, which reflects a shared vision of equitable access to quality education. Together, we are driving sustainable change, enriching lives, and building a more inclusive and prosperous society for future generations.

    The LEARNOVATE – FLIP has commenced and will run concurrently in target states throughout the 2024/2025 academic year. With the pilot poised to deliver measurable outcomes, the Oando Foundation is setting a precedent for this pilot to serve as a compelling foundation for evidence-based advocacy, further inspiring government and private sector investments in initiatives that bolster foundational learning and educational access, all guided by the LEARNOVATE-FLIP model.

  • Oando Foundation donates play equipment

    It does not take much to impress a child and Oando Foundation impressed a whole lot of them last Friday by donating playground equipment and sharing snacks in commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day.

    Head, Oando Foundation, Adekanla Adegoke, led the Programmes Coordinator, Tonia Uduimoh, and other members of her team to Local Government Nursery and Primary School, Jagunna, Itori in Ewekoro, Ogun State to present the gifts.

    The visit came about a year after the foundation had donated a block of six classrooms, furniture and learning materials to the school – saving its pupils and teachers from the danger and discomfort of learning in a dilapidated poultry shed.

    The shouts of joy that greeted the arrival of the play equipment, which reached the venue after the Oando Foundation team had distributed two packs of biscuits and Ribena drinks to each pupil, showed their excitement.  As soon as the technicians set up the swings, slide and four-way teeter totter and the children were given the all-clear sign, they launched the play equipment their way.  Squeals of delight could be heard from the playground.

    Mrs Adegoke said the Foundation adopted the school on the recommendation of the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Modupe Majota.  Since the foundation stepped in, Adegoke said the school had benefited from others as well.

    She said: “It is approximately one year when we started intervening in this school.  Then there were two ppoultry pens at this site.  Because of the poultry, there were snakes here.  Teachers posted here left and school enrolment rate dropped.  We raised funds from staff, the U.S. Consulate and others.  Apart from putting up the block, we trained the teachers in partnership with Educate a Child, Qatar.

    “We trained the School Based Management Committee (SBMC) with funds from the U.S. Consulate.  Since then they have been able to approach other organisations to support them.  They got Dangote to donate a classroom block, which has been completed; and Lafarge is also constructing another one for them.”

    Head teacher of the school, Mrs Beatrice Daodu said enrolment had increased from 483 to 670 since Oando Foundation’s intervention.

    She thanked the foundation for adding value to the school.

    “Before when we were under the pen, it affected pupils because there is no effective teaching.  When the rain falls no work again; at times I dismiss the pupils to go home.  We used to see big snakes. But now the development has made things better.  Now we need furniture, computers, chalkboard/marker boards,” she said.

    Assistant Head Teacher, Mrs Funmilayo Ekundayo, said the two additional blocks from the other organisaitons would help to absorb the burgeoning population as result of Oando’s first block of classroom.

    “In some classes we have between 70 and 90 pupils.  When the new building (by Dangote) is handed over to use, we will move children there.  It was because there was no building that the children did not come to school.  With more buildings, more children in the community will come to school,” she said.

    Chairman, Parents Teachers’ Association, Prince Moses Adepegba, said parents were happy that the children were now housed in conducive school environment compared to when they used the poultry and when they had to cross the express road to attend school before the school was founded in 2012.

    Mrs Adegoke said Oando Foundation plans to provide a perimeter fence for the school next.

  • Lessons govt can learn from us about UBE, by Oando Foundation

    Having worked in the basic education space in 23 states since 2011, the Head of Oando Foundation, Adekanla Adegoke, said the foundation had gained vital experience that governments at various levels could learn from.

    At a press parley in Lagos last week, Ms Adegoke shared how intervening in 88 schools pan-Nigeria at the basic level had taught the foundation how to manage funds, human resources, work with government, and collaborate with civil societies to achieve greater quality basic education and reduce the number of out of school children.

    Ms Adegoke said the foundation had also learnt from others, particularly development partners that had run programmes in basic education in Nigeria in the past.

    With its Adopt-a-school programme focused on total improvement of the schools under its care, Ms Adegoke said Oando Foundation has learnt cost effective ways of putting up new buildings far lower than what government spends on the average.

    “We have a learnt that a mix of things work when it comes to moving a school from zero to 100.  We learnt from development partners like USAID, DFID that have done programmes before us that it takes eight years to achieve this journey.  We have learnt it takes good infrastructure, availability of water, toilets, training of teachers and others to make a good school.

    “We have been working with communities to build our schools.  We spend N9 million to build a block of classrooms that way compared to the N25 million government and even other organisations spend engaging contractors to build the same facility.  The Sokoto State government has seen this and plans to adopt the method of working with communities to construct classrooms,” she said.

    Regarding training, Ms Adegoke said the foundation now focuses on whole school training which entails training all members of staff in a particular school compared to the popular model of sending a handful for training which they are expected to cascade on return.

    She said experience had shown that these teachers gained little from such trainings and do not have much to pass on to others.  To achieve quality, she said: “What we have learnt is that the whole school has to be trained.  At our trainings, teachers learn how to group children in class; they learn how to ensure fast learners sit together and slow learners.  That way, everyone is carried along,” she said.

    Ms Adegoke said the foundation is also involved in setting up and training School Based Management Committees (SBMC) to support the development of the adopted schools; training school support officers and others at the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA) to gather data; among others.

    She called for greater synergy between the government and other players in the education sector to achieve greater success.

    “We want government to learn from us,” she said.

    Already, she said the foundation was working with others to set up an education support alliance so that organisations intervening in the education sector could deliberate on how to move the sector forward.

    This year, she also said the foundation would be supporting Civil Society Organisations doing innovative programmes in the education sector with grants.

    “We want to give more grants to those who are going things in the basic education space.  We will do the selection in the last quarter and by the first quarter of next year start disbursing funds,” she said.

    The foundation’s Programme Manager, Tonia Uduimoh, said the Foundation is committed to the schools it has adopted for a long term.

     

  • Oando Foundation sponsors 52 pupils

    Oando Foundation sponsors 52 pupils

    The Oando Foundation has sponsored the secondary education of 52 pupils in two public primary schools in Niger state.

    The scholarship which is worth N40, 000 for each pupil, was based on performance and was given to the best Primary Six pupils in Maitumbi Primary School and Umar Audi Primary School both in Minna.

    Speaking to The Nation in Minna, the Programme Officer of Amana Rural People’s Health Advocacy Foundation, the implementing partner of Oando Foundation in Niger State, Mr Solomon Niyi, said the foundation has also provided children who dropped out of school with uniforms, school bags and sandals to lure them back to school.

    He added that Oando Foundation is concerned about the falling standard of public education and is taking steps towards providing infrastructural assistance to select schools.

    “Oando Foundation has adopted schools to provide infrastructural assistance; teachers would also be trained while some pupils will get scholarships. All is to improve the standard of education in the state. “

    Niyi also said that the Oando Foundation has spent N38,925,280 to achieve this feat in Niger State.

    To address the problem of inadequate classrooms, which has forced Maitumbi Primary School to run morning and afternoon sessions, Niyi said the Foundation is constructing a block of three classrooms in the school.

     

  • ‘Oando Foundation equips 80 primary schools in 22 states’

    ‘Oando Foundation equips 80 primary schools in 22 states’

    Oando Foundation, an independent charity organisation has equipped  80 primary schools in 22 states and the FCT, in its efforts to boost access to quality education in the country.

    Mrs Adekanla Adegoke, Head of the foundation, made the disclosure at the inauguration of a block of three classrooms, ICT Centre and toilet facility at LEA Primary School Rido in Kaduna on Wednesday.

    The  facilities were donated to the school by the foundation, as part of Oando’s corporate social responsibility.

    According to her, the foundation has initiated a programme tagged Adopt-A-School Initiative (AASI), aimed at  holistic improvement of public primary schools.

    “AASI was initiated in 2007 in partnership with the Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education Boards in line with Oando Foundation’s mission of transforming lives through education.

    “AASI is focused on improving the overall quality of basic education in public primary schools and to create a sustainable model for effective teaching and learning in all adopted schools.”

    She said that the 80 schools adopted by Oando Foundation were located in Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara and Lagos states.

    Others are in Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and the FCT.

    She disclosed that the foundation had adopted two schools in Kaduna state, namely LEA Primary School, Rido, and LEA Primary School Rigasa.

    “The foundation has so far spent about N50 million in LEA Rido since its adoption in 2011.

    “We constructed two blocks of five classrooms and sanitation facilities to improve hygiene.

    “We equally offered scholarship to 22 students to support their secondary education, provided over 1,000 units of teaching and learning materials to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in the school.

    “We have also built the capacity of teachers and head teachers in modern teaching techniques,” the official said.

    She added that the foundation also partnered Sumitomo Chemical, a Japanese company, to establish the solar powered ICT centres in public primary schools in Kaduna, Lagos and Taraba states.

    “While most children in rural areas do not have access to a computer, three out of every five children in the urban areas lack basic ICT skills.

    “To reverse this negative trend, the foundation has established 15 ICT/Creative Centres in its adopted schools, serving the learning needs of over 16,000 pupils.

    “Together with Sumitomo Chemical and other well-meaning organisations like the Educate-A-Child Qatar, we are creating an enabling environment to provide pupils from marginalised backgrounds invaluable 21st century technology skills, “Adegoke said.

    Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Malam Nasir Umar thanked the foundation for the gesture, saying that “education is a collective responsibility”.

    Represented by a Permanent Member of the board, Mrs Mary Ambi, the chairman called on other corporate organizations to emulate the gesture.

    Similarly, the Village Head of the community, Alhaji Hamisu Haruna also commended the effort, adding that it would reduce current congestion of over 300 pupils per class.

    He said that the school, built in the 1960s and with a population of about 2,000 pupils, has only seven classrooms, stressing that much would be required to bridge the gap.

    NAN

  • Oando Foundation, Fashion Vie raise N43.8m for girl-child education

    Oando Foundation (OF), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Oando PLC, has partnered with Fashion Vie New York to raise funds towards the education of the Nigerian ‘girl child’ last Thursday.

    Fashion Vie, an annual charity fashion show which runs alongside New York Fashion Week, is the brain child of Chuks Collins whose fashion designing career began in Nigeria.

    A statement by the Foundation noted that it is the first Africa entity to receive proceeds from The Dream: Fall 2017 Benefit Fashion Show and Silent Auction organised by Fashion Vie, where it successfully raised N43,800,000 for the education of the girl-child.

    Over the years the foundation has focused its ‘Adopt a School’ initiative towards providing access to improved quality education, especially for girls in Northern Nigeria.

    By providing hygiene and sanitary facilities, scholarships to brilliant girls for secondary education, mentorship programmes, training of female teachers, and partnerships with international development organisations in the schools, the foundation said it had succeeded in increasing enrolment of girls.

    Speaking at the event, Adekanla Adegoke, Head, Oando Foundation, said the funds would be channeled towards making girls more comfortable in school.

    “The partnership with Fashion Vie comes at a critical time when Oando Foundation is scaling up its Girl Child intervention under the Adopt-A-School Initiative. The funds raised will directly support the educational and social needs of girls in our adopted schools, providing them opportunities for a better future.”

    He said the Foundation will use proceeds to provide potable water and sanitation in public primary schools, information and communication technology (ICT) education, scholarships, and safe spaces for girls.

    Oando Foundation has 80 public primary schools it adopted in 23 states of Nigeria – 30 of which are under the infrastructure development component.  It has established 17 ICT centres and three Early Child Care Development Education (ECCDE) centres in these schools.

    In addition, the Foundation has donated over 5,000 books and learning materials across intervention communities, supported community involvement by strengthening the capacity of over 300 School Based Management Committee (SBMC) members, awarded scholarships to 907 pupils and facilitated training of 1,700 teachers.

    Chuks said the foundation was selected because of its laudable work in education.

    “This year, Fashion Vie has chosen to return to Nigeria, where my story began. We are inspired by the important work of the Oando Foundation, providing interventions for marginalized Out-Of-School-Children and those unable to cry out for the justice of accessible education in Nigeria,” he said.

     

  • Oando Foundation, Fashion Vie raise N43.8m for girl-child’s education

    Oando Foundation, Fashion Vie raise N43.8m for girl-child’s education

    A N independent charity organisation with a mission to create conducive learning environments in public primary schools, Oando Foundation (OF), has partnered with Fashion Vie, New York, to raise funds for the education of the Nigerian ‘girl child’.

    The foundation, on Thursday, was selected as the first beneficiary from Africa to receive proceeds from The Dream: Fall 2017 Benefit Fashion Show and Silent Auction, where it raised N43,800,000  for the girl-child education.

    Through its Adopt a School Initiative, Oando Foundation has steadily provided access to improved quality education, with a focus on girls in the northern region.

    Its holistic programmes have increased the number of young girls enrolling in its adopted schools through the provision of hygiene and sanitary facilities, scholarships to deserving females to transit to secondary school, mentorship programmes, training of female teachers and partnerships with international development organisations.

    With over 6.3 million out-of-school girls in Nigeria, Oando Foundation’s commitment is reinforced in the words of Angelique Kidjo, “Everyone wins when children – and especially girls – have access to education. An educated girl is likely to increase her personal earning potential and prepare herself for a productive and fulfilling life, as well as reduce poverty in the whole community. Investing in girls’ education also helps delay early marriage and parenthood. Our booming economies in Africa need more female engineers, teachers and doctors to prosper and sustain growth.”

    Fashion Vie, an annual charity fashion show, which runs alongside New York Fashion Week, is inspired by the life of its organiser, International Fashion Designer and founder, Chuks Collins, whose career began in Nigeria.

    The event, which took place at the famous Angel Orensanz, was hosted by Claudia Jordan, actress, model, TV and radio personality.  The organisation utilises the creative industry to support social justice and worldwide human right issues, by gathering audiences for a contemporary experience of fashion and art, while highlighting the incredible work of local, national, and international non-profits.

    At the event, Head, Oando Foundation Adekanla Adegoke, said: “The partnership with Fashion Vie comes at a critical time when Oando Foundation is scaling up its girl-child intervention under the Adopt-A-School Initiative. The funds raised will directly support the educational and social needs of girls in our adopted schools, providing them opportunities for a better future.”

    Chuks said: “This year, Fashion Vie has chosen to return to Nigeria, where my story began. We are inspired by the important work of the Oando Foundation, providing interventions for marginalised Out-Of-School-Children and those unable to cry out for the justice of accessible education in Nigeria.”

    The theme for this year’s event, ‘Girl Child Education,’ is a cause close to both partners. The foundation will use proceeds from the event to further improve access to and provide quality primary education in its adopted schools. It plans to focus on access to education, provision of potable water and sanitation in public primary schools, information and communication technology (ICT) education, scholarships, and safe spaces for girls.

    Oando Foundation has successfully adopted 80 public primary schools across 23 states in Nigeria, renovated 30 of these under the infrastructure development component; established 17 ICT centres and three Early Child Care Development Education (ECCDE) centres.

    In addition, the foundation has donated over 5,000 books and learning materials across intervention communities. It has successfully supported community involvement by strengthening the capacity of over 300 School Based Management Committee (SBMC) members, awarded scholarships to 907 pupils and facilitated training of 1,700 teachers. Sixty thousand students now have access to improved learning environments including improved sanitary facilities through the direct intervention of Oando Foundation.