Education
How African Governments Can Make Foundational Learning Achievable—Ezekwesili
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A former Minister of Education in Nigeria, Mrs Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, has disclosed that foundational learning in Africa can be achieved it governments have the political will.
She said this after her organisation, Human Capital Africa, sealed a two-year partnership with the Hempel Foundation to strengthen political commitment, accountability, and data-driven reform for foundational learning across sub-Saharan Africa.
“We already know what works to get children learning — what Africa needs now is the political will, the discipline, and the partnerships to take those solutions to scale.
“Foundational learning is achievable when governments lead decisively, when accountability is clear, and when the private sector and philanthropy step up alongside them.
“This partnership between the Hempel Foundation and Human Capital Africa is one more example of what collaboration can do when it is anchored in evidence, transparency, and a shared belief that every African child deserves the chance to learn,” the activist stated.
The collaboration between both parties was struck at the 2025 ADEA Triennale. The initiative underscores a shared commitment to ensuring that every child in Africa learns to read, write, and count by age ten, a milestone that lays the foundation for all future learning and human capital development.
Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing youth population, yet nine out of ten children in sub-Saharan Africa cannot read or do basic mathematics by age 10.
This learning crisis limits opportunity, deepens inequality, and threatens the continent’s economic potential, with the World Bank estimating a global loss of $21 trillion in lifetime earnings in present value.
The HCA–Hempel Foundation partnership seeks to tackle this challenge by embedding foundational learning at the heart of education systems, fostering stronger political leadership, institutional accountability, and evidence-based decision-making through the use of data in advocacy, policy, and planning.
The partnership will drive system-wide transformation across Africa by strengthening political leadership, deepening accountability, and reinforcing the institutions that sustain lasting reform.
At the policy level, it will build and sustain high-level political momentum by engaging Heads of State, Ministers of Education and Finance, and other senior leaders to position foundational learning as a top development priority.
A core pillar of this effort will be the strengthening of the African Foundational Learning Ministerial Coalition—a minister-led platform for peer learning, collaboration, and mutual accountability.
Complementing this advocacy focus, the partnership will support governments, in Malawi and Uganda, to embed data use and accountability at the system and district levels. By applying tools such as the Adoption Tracker and FLAT, it will strengthen monitoring, promote evidence-based decision-making, and ensure that lessons from the classroom inform policy at every level.
“Accelerating progress in children’s learning requires strong political leadership, accountability, and the smart use of data and evidence.
“Through our partnership with Human Capital Africa, we aim to strengthen all three — helping governments place foundational learning at the heart of national policies, track progress more effectively, and translate data into tangible improvements in classrooms,” the chief executive of Hempel Foundation, Mr Anders Holm, stated.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A conference with the theme Flourish and Thrive: Investing in Boys for Stronger Families and Communities will take place at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
The programme, in its second edition, is part of activities lined up to mark the 2026 International Boys’ Day Conference. It is being put in place by Boys Aid Network to confront a question many institutions have quietly ignored: Who is intentionally preparing the next generation of boys for the realities of leadership, responsibility, and manhood?
Expected to grace the occasion are educators, mentors, advocates, parents, and students.
The speakers include Jesudamilare Adesegun-David, Co-founder of Enovate Lab; Samson Folarin, Editor of Punch Newspaper Weekend Titles; Oluseye Joseph, Founder of EnterpriseCEO; Barrister Dotun Akinsanmi, Managing Partner at Dotun Akinsanmi LP; and media personality, Folakemi Arowolo, popularly known as Folakemi Mighty.
The convener, Barrister Olufunke Oyinlola, described the initiative as a deliberate effort to create safe and transformational spaces for boys to learn, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversations about their future.
“Too many boys are growing up without guidance, without safe spaces to express themselves, and without people intentionally helping them navigate the realities of life. This conference is our response to that challenge. We want boys to know that they are seen, valued, and capable of becoming responsible men who positively influence their families and communities,” she stated.
She added that the conference is ultimately about helping boys see possibilities differently and exposing them to conversations that can shape their confidence, choices, and sense of purpose.
More than 300 secondary school boys from across Oyo State are expected to participate in the event, which is organised in partnership with the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The programme will combine keynote sessions, mentorship conversations, interactive learning, and a spelling bee competition aimed at boosting confidence and intellectual engagement.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A popular Nigerian actor, Alex Ekubo, has reportedly passed away after a protracted illness.
According to reports, the movie star died after a battle with cancer, which kept him away from public glare and social media.
Last year, some of his fans expressed concerns over his sudden absence from social media, asking about his whereabouts.
On Tuesday evening, news about his demise flooded the blogosphere.
One of the sympathisers, Peter Okoye of the P-Square fame, wrote a Rest in Peace on the Nollywood star’s picture on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming his death.
Several personalities and others have also expressed shock over the passing of the 40-year-old entertainer, who dazzled many with his acting skills.
During his lifetime, Alex Ekubo, who was said to have died of cancer, won several awards.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The secondary school category of the 2026 Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship has been won by Platform School, Baruwa, Ipaja, after defeating Dayspring School.
The competition was sponsored by Ecobank Nigeria, in partnership with SchoolMate, Newcross, Exploration & Production Limited, GZI Limited, Frutta and the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF).
The contest attracted over a thousand students from schools across the country to the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos.
Platform School clinched the first spot after six rounds with 16 match points, edging Dayspring School, which also finished unbeaten but settled for second place on tiebreaks. King’s College Lagos claimed third position after an impressive campaign.
The result further strengthened the growing rivalry between Platform School and Dayspring School. Platform School won the maiden edition of the Ecobank-sponsored championship before Dayspring School emerged as champions in the second edition. Platform School, however, bounced back strongly by reclaiming the title in the third edition and has now secured back-to-back titles after winning the fourth edition. Meanwhile, Dayspring School have now recorded consecutive second-place finishes following their triumph in the second edition.
In the primary category, Chess in Slums Africa delivered a dominant performance, winning all six matches to finish with a perfect score of 18 match points. First Baptist Group of Schools also finished with a perfect win record but settled for second place on tiebreaks, while Jareb Private School, Ogun, finished third. The event witnessed remarkable performances from young players, further highlighting the rapid growth of grassroots chess development in Nigeria.
The Primary Category title was especially significant for Chess in Slums Africa, as the team received celebrations and support on-site from Tunde Onakoya, whose presence added excitement and inspiration to the young players during the close of the championship and the closing ceremony.
Speaking about the event, the Head of Educational and Social Services at Ecobank, Mr Kunle Adewoyi, urged the students to strive hard to become Grand Masters in the near future.
“There are Grand Masters in Kenya, Rwanda and some other African countries, but, sadly, we don’t have any in Nigeria at the moment. It is our prayer that some of these students will become one in the near future,” he stated.
Mr Adewoyi said that Ecobank was particular about chess sponsorship because it helps in the development of the kids.
The Vice President of the Nigerian Chess Federation, Mr Adeyinka Adewale, was full of praise for Ecobank and other partners for sponsoring the tournament, just as he promised that next year’s edition will be bigger and better.
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