By JKNewsMedia
NIGERIA’s EDUCATION crisis is deepening, with the number of out-of-school children now at 18.3 million, according to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
This alarming figure underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and innovative solutions to bridge educational gaps.
As technology reshapes learning, stakeholders are pushing for inclusive, AI-driven strategies to improve access to quality education.
Sterling One Foundation has taken a leading role in addressing these challenges, impacting over 20,000 individuals in 2024 through initiatives focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Agriculture (STEMA).
Its Early Child Learning Advancement Project (E-CLAP) has significantly improved foundational literacy and numeracy skills for more than 2,000 children in underserved communities.
Operating in Kano, Lagos, Borno, and Oyo states, the programme combines modern teaching tools with culturally relevant methodologies to enhance student engagement.
In Nigeria’s Northeast, where secondary and tertiary education remains limited, the Foundation partnered with the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to launch the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP).
This initiative has provided over 15,000 students with STEM-focused resources, virtual reality-enabled learning tools, and exam preparatory materials to enhance WAEC, NECO, and JAMB performance.
Additionally, ASSEP has trained 720 teachers through a hybrid model incorporating online and in-person modules.
Further expanding its impact, the Foundation collaborated with CDIAL AI to establish the Indigenous Multilingual Digital Literacy & Artificial Intelligence Hub in Ajegunle, Lagos.
The initiative has empowered 174 learners with AI-driven digital literacy skills in 13 native African languages, fostering inclusion and breaking language barriers in underserved communities.
Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, emphasised the need for responsible AI integration in education.
“The theme, ‘AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” highlights the urgency of ensuring education remains inclusive and human-centred.
“Our efforts are focused on equipping educators and students with innovative tools to bridge gaps and drive sustainable development,” she stated.
