Connect with us

Education

Democratizing Education – Airtel’s Oremeji Example

Published

on

Airtel Emeka Oparah- Oremeji Primary School 2

By Emeka Oparah

Fourteen years ago, as Head of Corporate Communications & CSR at Airtel Nigeria, my team and I visited the famous Tolu Complex in Ajegunle, Lagos – a cluster of over 20 public schools serving thousands of children in one of Nigeria’s most underserved communities.

What we saw that day changed us forever.Children between 6 and 12 sat on the bare ground under a tree, their teacher using the cracked wall of a collapsed classroom as a blackboard. Some of us shed tears.

Right there, we made a decision: we would adopt and rebuild Oremeji Primary School 2.

From Collapse to Catalyst

In just six months – cutting through layers of government bureaucracy, battling security challenges, and even replacing stolen ceiling fans on commissioning day! – we delivered a modern school building:

  • Six fully furnished classrooms with whiteboards
  • An office for the head teacher
  • Toilets for boys, girls, and staff
  • A borehole with water reservoir
  • Power supply

We didn’t stop there. We gave every child uniforms, shoes, books, and school bags. Later, through our Airtel Employee Volunteer Scheme, staff donated a mini-library, taught classes, and inspired students with career talks. An ICT lab soon followed, with computers and access to free, government-approved learning materials.

The Ripple Effect

Enrollment rose. Academic performance improved. Teachers began winning laurels. Most importantly, the small spark ignited bigger change: the then First Lady of Lagos, Mrs. Folasade Fashola, apparently persuaded her husband to rehabilitate other contiguous schools in the complex. Over time, the Lagos State Government transformed the entire landscape with massive new school blocks.

When I revisited Oremeji Primary School 2 last week, during a working tour of Nigeria, I was overwhelmed. Oremeji – once the pride of the complex – now looked modest, surrounded by gigantic, ultramodern buildings. And that’s exactly the point.

A Lesson in Development

What started as one bold corporate initiative grew into sustainable, government-backed transformation. Development truly begets development. No amount of darkness can cover the light of a single candle, it’s said.

That’s the power of partnerships, purpose, and persistence. The Airtel Adopt a School Program embodies all the aforementioned attributes.

And that’s why democratizing access to education must remain a collective mission – because the children of Ajegunle, and millions like them, are our future leaders.

It’s truly heartwarming that the major item on the agenda during my visit to Nigeria was a joint Media Briefing by Airtel Africa plc and Airtel Africa Foundation, where it was announced, amongst other things, that the Foundation, which is sponsored by Airtel, will adopt 100 schools across its 14 markets in Africa (10 in Nigeria) over the next 12 months, for a start.

Emeka Oparah is the Vice President, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Africa plc.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Education

Orire School Abduction: Oyo Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike

Published

on

Orire School Abduction

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Teachers in Oyo State on Monday, June 1, 2026, commenced an indefinite strike to protest the abduction of their colleagues and some pupils about two weeks ago.

The teachers withdraw their services from schools until further notice in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

In a statement on Sunday, the group said the industrial action affects all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State.

They are aggrieved over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release remain uncertain.

According to the union, the prolonged detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school, and heightened tension across communities in the state.

The NUT said the industrial action is aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abductees without further delay.

It urged all teachers to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike.

The association also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils, and their families, stressing that lawful engagements with relevant government authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.

The NUT assured members that it remains committed to protecting the welfare and security of teachers and learners across the country.

A few weeks ago, some terrorists stormed the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and kidnapped dozens of children and teachers. They have remained in captivity, with the federal government only sending a delegation to the town on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Continue Reading

Education

KolaDaisi University Hosts Career Fair June 10 in Ibadan

Published

on

KolaDaisi University Career Fair

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, KolaDaisi University (KDU), in a bid to strengthen the talent-to-industry pipeline, will hold its inaugural Career Fair at its campus in Ibadan, Oyo State, with over 200 final-year students, alumni, and a diverse range of leading employers across multiple sectors expected to partake in the programme.

The one-day event, organised by the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, will feature participation from top-tier organisations spanning finance, consulting, technology, manufacturing, and other key industries.

Participating companies will engage directly with students, offering opportunities for graduate trainee programmes, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) placements, internships, and entry-level employment.

In addition to recruitment opportunities, the Career Fair will include a series of industry-led sessions, panel discussions, and networking engagements designed to provide students with insights into workplace expectations, emerging career trends, and professional development pathways.

“At KolaDaisi University, we are deliberate about preparing our students for life beyond the classroom. This Career Fair represents a critical platform for fostering meaningful engagement between our students and industry leaders.

“It is not just an event, but a long-term investment in partnerships that will drive innovation, talent development, and economic growth,” the President of the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Mrs Olasumbo Obaseki, stated.

The Career Fair underscores the university’s commitment to equipping its students with not only academic excellence but also the practical skills, professional exposure, and networks required for success in today’s competitive labour market.

It is put together in collaboration with key industry partners, including Chapel Hill Denham, Mobile Screens and Sound Limited, SKOT Communications, LEADWAY Assurance, HighlerLife Properties Consult Ltd, Idea Konsult, New Horizons Nigeria, alongside several other organisations committed to nurturing emerging talent.

These partnerships reflect a shared vision of developing a workforce that is both competent and responsive to evolving industry needs.

This impactful and timely initiative is an essential platform for aligning academic outcomes with industry expectations.

The initiative forms part of KDU’s broader institutional strategy to enhance graduate employability through sustained industry engagement, career readiness programmes, and alumni relations.

By creating structured opportunities for interaction between students and employers, the institution continues to position itself as a forward-thinking institution committed to producing globally competitive graduates.

Continue Reading

Education

Tinubu Appoints 39-Year-Old Prof Segun Aina as New JAMB Registrar

Published

on

prof segun aina JAMB

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Professor Segun Aina has been appointed to replace Professor Is-haq Oloyede as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The two-term tenure of his successor expires on July 31, 2026.

Mr Aina was chosen for the position by President Bola Tinubu, and he is expected to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the board, to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor.

According to a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Professor Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom. He has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

A Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissions and data-driven institutional processes. These insights have shaped his ongoing contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.

With over 15 years of post-graduation experience, Professor Aina operates at the intersection of technology, policy, and institutional transformation, advising federal and state governments on system design, digital transition, and operational reform. At 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest Computer Engineering professors and will now make history as JAMB’s youngest registrar.

He has served as a consultant to major examination bodies, including NECO, NABTEB, and various State Ministries of Education, providing expertise on ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process optimisation.

Professor Aina is a member of several professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Continue Reading

Trending