By Adedapo Adesanya

As Pearson Test of English (PTE) continues to gain increased recognition in the Nigerian market, the PTE Club has been established to remove barriers and ease access to international study and work.

The PTE Club, launched in partnership with Lu Gold Educational Consulting in Lagos, is crucial as Nigerians increasingly pursue international education, work opportunities, and seek greater global mobility.

According to Mrs Eugenia Yeboah, Business Development Specialist at Pearson’s PTE covering West Africa, the demand for reliable and efficient English language proficiency assessments have soared and one of such recognised is Pearson’s exams.

In response to this growing need, the PTE Club has emerged as a community that will help facilitate proficiency tests and help liberalise access to scholarships while promoting other opportunities for prospects and candidates.

She noted that the PTE Club which will pilot with Nigeria will be expanded to other African countries later.

“So we are hoping that we will be able to help many people in Nigeria as possible to get parts of the scholarship opportunities, we also want to assess them on their English language proficiency.”

She also revealed that Nigeria has the cheapest options available ($150) as part of strategy to make the test affordable and accessible.

On his part, Mr Lucuis Gab-Umoden, chief executive at Lu Gold EDC and founder of the PTE Club, added that the community will be beneficial to all ranging from students to teachers to companies and universities.

“The idea was to make it open to all. So students get access to scholarships, teachers get access to accreditation, and schools get access to opportunities including partnerships. This is the benefit of the PTE Club, which we are building around Pearson Test of English.”

Unlike traditional paper-based exams, PTE offers a computer-based format with rapid results, typically available in two days. The assessment evaluates all four language skills – listening, reading, speaking, and writing – in a single, integrated test, and its AI-powered scoring ensures fairness and accuracy for all test takers at all levels.

Accepted by 3500+ of universities globally, PTE exams can be taken by the Nigerian students seeking undergraduate and postgraduate programs in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In addition to academic admissions, PTE, the English proficiency test, is recognized by the US State Boards of Nursing for work visas and by UK Higher Education Institutions for degree-level courses.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Steps are already being taken by Oando Foundation to identify and reintegrate out-of-school children into the formal education system.

This information was revealed by the Head of the organisation, Ms Tonia Uduimoh, during the official handover of over 1,000 back-to-school materials to newly-enrolled out-of-school children in Jos, Plateau State.

The group donated the items under its LEARNOVATE-FLIP (Foundational Learning Improvement Programme) initiative.

“Education is fundamental — and as a Foundation committed to social impact, we believe it’s our responsibility to complement government efforts where it matters most.

“Since 2023, our work has been anchored on the LEARNOVATE strategy, with a strong focus on improving foundational literacy and numeracy.

“When a child gains basic reading and math skills early, it doesn’t just prepare them for the next grade — it sets them up for lifelong learning. But we also know that too many children, especially those on the margins of society, are being left behind.

“Under the LEARNOVATE-FLIP programme, we’re not only supporting children already in school — we’re also working to identify and reintegrate out-of-school children into the formal education system.

“What you’re seeing today in Plateau State is a direct result of that effort. Over 4,000 children have been mobilized so far and integrated into formal education across Plateau, Sokoto, and Ebonyi States. What we are doing is to provide basic resources and support, and we are committed to ensuring every child succeeds,” Ms Uduimoh stated.

In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Ms Josephine Piyo, commended Oando Foundation for the gesture, describing it 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.

“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 enrol 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.

“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.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Some educational materials have been donated to about 2,000 pupils in 10 schools across Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States by Rite Foods Limited in celebration of Children’s Day on May 27, 2025.

The items were distributed to the beneficiaries by the company as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The educational materials given to the pupils included bags and exercise books designed to support pupils in underserved communities on their academic journey.

In line with its sustainability goals, Rite Foods produced the school bags using recycled nylon waste generated from its product packaging like labels from Fearless Energy Drinks, Bigi Water and Soft Drinks, and sausage wrappers.

This not only reduces environmental waste but also teaches children the value of recycling and circular economy practices.

During the distribution of the materials in Ososa (Ijebu-Ode), Ogun State, and the Oworonshoki area of Lagos on May 28 and 29, respectively, the organisation said the initiative aims to enhance the academic experience of the pupils and encourage their commitment to education as future leaders.

In Ososa, beneficiaries included pupils from Moslem Primary School, St. Thomas Catholic Primary School, and St. John’s Anglican Primary School. In Lagos, the Rite Foods team visited Oworonshoki Nursery and Primary School, Local Government Nursery and Primary School, Ayeroju Nursery and Primary School, Mosafejo Nursery and Primary School, and Muslim Nursery and Primary School in Kosofe LGA.

Each event included a funfair and refreshments as part of the Children’s Day celebration. It also featured an interactive session that educated pupils on sustainability and the importance of recycling packaging waste into useful products, such as school bags.

“Our CSR program is symbolic of the role children play in nation-building. By encouraging education and sustainability, we are shaping a generation that understands the value of learning and environmental stewardship,” the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods, Ekuma Eze, stated.

Similarly, the Head of Human Resources at Rite Foods, Ismail Ganiyu, noted, “As part of our commitment to education and youth development, we’re proud to support our future leaders with materials that aid their academic growth.”

Also, the Managing Director of Kazih Kits, Rite Foods’ technical partners in producing the bags, Mr Chinedu Azih, stated, “This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when corporate leadership aligns with grassroots innovation. Turning waste into hope for 2,000 children is both impactful and inspiring.”

Leaders of the schools and local education authorities commended Rite Foods for its thoughtful gesture, noting that the initiative eases the financial burden on parents and supports pupils’ academic performance.

The Head Teacher of Moslem Primary School, Ososa, Idris Mukaila Olakunle, praised the company’s generosity and wished them continued success.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee in Kosofe LGA, Kehinde Dare, expressed gratitude, affirming that Rite Foods’ action demonstrates a genuine concern for the educational development of Nigerian children.