British Airways has strengthened efforts to promote digital inclusion among disadvantaged children in Nigeria with the donation of laptops to beneficiaries of the IA-Foundation, a United Kingdom-registered non-governmental organisation committed to supporting out-of-school children and improving access to quality education.
The presentation of the devices took place during a handover ceremony in Lagos, where representatives of British Airways, officials of IA-Foundation, and beneficiaries gathered to mark the initiative aimed at expanding digital learning opportunities for children with limited access to technology.
The laptops were formally received on behalf of the foundation by its Chairman, Diran Famakinwa, alongside members of staff and children who are expected to benefit from the programme.
Representing British Airways at the event were the airline’s Account Managers, Lady Peju Diya and Bodunrin, as well as its Administration Manager, Matthew Akano.
The airline explained that the donation was part of its commitment to supporting educational development by improving access to digital tools for children who have previously had little or no exposure to computer-based learning.
With technology becoming increasingly important in modern education, the intervention is expected to provide beneficiaries with practical digital skills, enhance their learning experience and prepare them for future academic and career opportunities.
For IA-Foundation, the donation represents a major boost to its mission of reintegrating out-of-school children into quality education while equipping them with resources needed to thrive in an increasingly digital society.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Programme Manager of IA-Foundation, Ope Adedara, expressed gratitude to British Airways for supporting the organisation’s educational initiatives.
She described the donation as a timely intervention that would help address one of the major barriers facing many vulnerable children — limited access to digital learning resources.
“Access to computers and digital learning tools remains a major challenge for many children, making this donation particularly significant,” Adedara said.
She added that the laptops would be integrated into the foundation’s learning activities to improve the educational journey of beneficiaries and create more opportunities for academic development.
The Founder of IA-Foundation, Ibironke Adeagbo, said the partnership with British Airways reflects the growing commitment of corporate organisations to tackling educational inequality and reducing the digital gap affecting children across Nigeria.
Adeagbo noted that the challenge of out-of-school children requires a collective response involving government institutions, private sector organisations, non-governmental bodies and individuals.
She said: “Tackling Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis requires collective action from government, businesses and individuals. Investments in education ultimately benefit society as a whole.”
She further pointed to some of the foundation’s recent initiatives, including the launch of a white paper examining the long-term impact of failing to educate children and the introduction of the IA-Portal, a platform designed to link sponsors with children who require educational support.
According to her, these initiatives are part of broader efforts to create sustainable pathways for vulnerable children and ensure they are not denied opportunities because of social or economic challenges.
Adeagbo also encouraged more organisations and individuals to support programmes that promote access to education, stressing that every intervention contributes to building a more inclusive society.
Nigeria continues to face a significant out-of-school children challenge, with stakeholders warning that sustained investment, partnerships and innovative solutions are needed to reverse the trend.
The IA-Foundation said collaborations such as the partnership with British Airways demonstrate the important role the private sector can play in expanding educational opportunities, promoting digital literacy and supporting children who are most in need.