A Strategic Partnership for Educational Equity
At the event, Her Excellency Josephine Piyo, Deputy Governor of Plateau State, praised the initiative as a strategic response to the challenge of out-of-school children. The Deputy Governor highlighted the alignment of the Oando Foundation’s intervention with the state’s vision of 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,” she said. “By providing learning materials to out-of-school children, we are equipping them with the tools to thrive.”
Broad Stakeholder Support
The ceremony was well-attended by key stakeholders across the education sector, reflecting the importance of public-private collaboration in education reform. Present were officials from federal, state, and local levels, including Builder Sunday Samuel Amuna, Chairman of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Mrs. Keithleen Rahab Favour Nyango, Director of Schools, Ministry of Education; and traditional leaders such as HRH Ujah Anaguta, Pozo Johnson Jauro Magaji II, and HRH Da John Putmang Hirse.
LEARNOVATE-FLIP: Addressing Learning Poverty at the Grassroots
The LEARNOVATE-FLIP (Foundational Learning Improvement Programme) is a flagship initiative of the Oando Foundation launched in 2024, aimed at enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy among early-grade learners. The programme is currently being implemented across four states—Plateau, Ebonyi, Sokoto, and Adamawa.
Speaking on the initiative, Tonia Uduimoh, Head of Oando Foundation, emphasized the programme’s focus on building a strong educational foundation. “Our work under LEARNOVATE-FLIP is not just about distributing school materials. It’s about ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has a fair start in life through quality foundational learning,” she stated. “So far, we have mobilized over 4,000 children and reintegrated them into formal education systems across the intervention states.”
Comprehensive Back-to-School Support
To support the reintegration process, the Foundation donated over 1,000 comprehensive back-to-school kits to children in Jos North and Mangu Local Government Areas. Each kit included essentials such as backpacks, stationery, exercise books, uniforms, and sandals—geared toward making the transition to school smoother for vulnerable learners and promoting retention.
Building Sustainable Educational Systems
LEARNOVATE-FLIP is part of the Foundation’s broader LEARNOVATE strategy, which focuses on three pillars: Learning, Planet, and Advocacy. This strategy aims to enhance foundational skills, introduce green skills development, and promote policy reforms and innovation in the education sector.
The initiative also integrates the use of mother tongue and English in early instruction, ensuring that children develop strong reading and comprehension skills from the start. Additionally, education officers are being equipped with the tools and training necessary to create more engaging, inclusive, and effective classroom environments.
Over a Decade of Impact
Established in 2011, the Oando Foundation has consistently supported the Nigerian government in advancing its Universal Basic Education goals. Through its Adopt-A-School Initiative, the Foundation has impacted 88 adopted schools nationwide, using a whole-school improvement approach that combines infrastructure, capacity building, and community engagement.
To date, under the new LEARNOVATE strategy, 190 schools have received targeted support focused on improving learning outcomes and building resilience within the education system.