Education
Study Reveals Scalable Path to Quality Early Learning to Every Child
A new study released by a non-profit firm, SmartStart, has revealed compelling evidence that early learning programmes run in homes and community venues could significantly boost children’s outcomes, even at scale.
The findings underscored the critical role that could be played by accessible, community-based early childhood education in breaking the cycle of educational inequality.
A team of independent researchers found that the proportion of children “on track” increased by a remarkable 20 points from 45% to 65%, while the proportion of those “falling far behind” nearly halved.
The study’s most striking revelation is the dramatic reduction in the achievement gap between children from low- and high-income households, falling from 25 points to just 6 points. This substantial narrowing represents more than a statistical triumph; it demonstrates a powerful mechanism for social mobility and educational equity.
“These findings show the transformative role that can be played by women living in low-income contexts when they are empowered to deliver early learning programmes in their homes and other community settings. The study therefore has profound implications for policymakers because it shows an affordable, scalable path to early learning for every child,” says Grace Matlhape, Chief Executive Officer of SmartStart. “Accessible, high-quality early learning programmes have the potential to break intergenerational cycles of educational disadvantage, offering children from all backgrounds a more level playing field for future academic and personal success.”
Commenting on the study, Chief Director for Foundations for Learning in the Department of Basic Education, Kulula Manona, observed that “this study shines a light on the incredible potential of our children when provided with the right developmental and learning opportunities. It also underscores the critical role of community-based early learning programmes, and the dedicated practitioners who deliver them, in bridging the early learning access gap”.
Researchers for the study, including Professor Sarah Chapman from University of Cape Town as the principal investigator, used South Africa’s Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM) to track the progress of 551 children in SmartStart ELPs over an eight-month period. The results revealed that the SmartStart cohort outperformed the national Thrive by Five Index benchmark, a monitoring tool developed to track early childhood development progress in South Africa, providing robust evidence that well-designed, community-integrated early learning programmes can deliver scalable and measurable improvements in child development..
“The implications of this study demonstrate that effectiveness isn’t contingent on costly infrastructure and equipment, but on empowering practitioners with the right tools, skills and support. Simple, everyday practices, including nurturing care, lots of talk, and child-centered play, can transform outcomes for young children,” Chapman adds.
“The crucial thing about the SmartStart model is that it honours the inherent strengths of our communities. Our programmes run in homes and community venues, which means they offer an immediate and affordable solution to close the access and quality gaps for excluded children. This underscores the need for governments to establish enabling policy and funding frameworks that recognise and support these practitioners where they are,” says Matlhape.
Celebrating its tenth year of impact, the SmartStart network currently has over 13,000 ELPs serving over 125,000 children, every week. Its network model is deeply rooted in social capital and community empowerment, underpinned by the principle of meeting communities where they are and leveraging their existing assets.
“Today we salute the extraordinary ordinary women across our network who are using simple but transformative practices every day, to create a better future for young children. These women are powerful agents of change, beacons of hope for future generations,” Matlhape emphasises.
“We also salute the dedication of our implementing partners, and the unwavering support of communities who stand united for their children. Their collective efforts show the power of a collaborative implementation model to transcend socio-economic barriers and, ultimately, to bridge the equity gap in early learning.”
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).
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A transformative initiative designed to equip young Nigerian engineers with the technical expertise and practical experience needed to drive sustainable power generation nationwide has been launched by Sahara Power Group.
This programme, known as the Sahara Power Technical and Innovation Academy (SPTIA), will be hosted by Egbin Power and First Independent Power Limited (FIPL), two of Nigeria’s leading power generation companies and members of the Sahara Power Group.
It was created as part of the company’s vision to deliver reliable and sustainable energy through a combination of infrastructure investment and human capital development, ensuring that Nigeria’s energy future is powered by both innovation and indigenous expertise.
Fifty graduate engineers will undergo a rigorous 10-month programme that combines intensive classroom learning with hands-on, on-the-job training across critical generation assets.
Participants will be exposed to real-time plant operations, maintenance systems, and industry best practices, positioning them for impactful careers in the power sector.
A strong emphasis will also be placed on safety as a core pillar of the academy. The trainees will undergo mandatory safety modules covering industry standards and safe work practices, complemented by practical, scenario-based sessions.
This approach is designed to instil a safety-first culture and ensure that all participants are equipped to operate confidently and responsibly beyond compliance within the Plant environment.
At the end of the programme, top-performing trainees will be deployed across Sahara Power Group’s businesses, including Egbin Power, FIPL, and upstream operations, while others will be released into the broader Nigerian electricity labour market as part of the Group’s commitment to strengthening sector-wide capacity.
The Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Mr Kola Adesina, said the initiative represents a deliberate investment in Nigeria’s future and a strategic response to the sector’s talent needs.
“We are committed to powering Nigeria not just through infrastructure, but through people. This academy reflects our belief that the future of sustainable energy delivery must be driven by skilled, young professionals who understand the local operating environment,” he stated.
“Egbin Power and FIPL provide the ideal platforms for this initiative, given their track record of operational excellence and technical depth. By leveraging these assets, we are creating a pipeline of engineers who are not only technically sound but also industry-ready from the outset,” he added.
Mr Adesina further charged the trainees to work as a team and ensure that the training programme brings out problem-solving skills that will enable them to contribute to human development and the progress of the power sector.
“We are here to truly and responsibly make a difference. We are here to look around our environment, and we are curious enough to see how we can make things better. We believe you are to make things better and add value to the sector,” he said.
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.
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