In a direct effort to combat Nigeria’s staggering 18.3 million out-of-school children crisis, global cloud communications leader Infobip has announced a strategic community initiative. In partnership with the Whitefield Foundation, the project aims to accelerate educational outcomes by providing over 650 specialized textbooks and essential library infrastructure to selected schools in Lagos.
The initiative delivered a comprehensive support package to Wesley Girls Secondary School and Ladilak Institute Primary School. Moving beyond traditional one-off donations, Infobip invested in new library shelving and the restoration of existing units to create high-functioning learning hubs designed for long-term use.
To ensure the longevity of this investment, the Infobip team has committed to ongoing training for school staff. These sessions focus on modern library management and resource optimization, ensuring the new materials remain a sustainable asset for the student body.
The urgency of this intervention is highlighted by UNICEF data, which ranks Nigeria’s out-of-school population as the highest globally, noting that 74% of students aged 7–14 lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
“At Infobip, we believe that communication is the foundation of progress, and education is the ultimate form of communication. This is about more than resources; it is about providing the tools and inspiration that empower students to lead in an increasingly digital world,” said Isaac Akanni, representing Infobip Nigeria.
The handover ceremony integrated physical resources with intellectual empowerment through a career mentorship session. Students from the University of Lagos and Babcock University shared insights on the transformative power of quality education, aligning with Infobip’s vision of nurturing local talent from the ground up.
Mrs. Jegede, Principal of Wesley Girls Secondary School, emphasized the strategic value of the project: “A library is the intellectual heart of a school. This infrastructure provides our students with a structured environment to think, research, and excel despite local challenges.”
The collaboration highlights the critical role of corporate involvement in social development. Dr. Funmi Johnson, Executive Director of the Whitefield Foundation, noted that the project stands as a testament to how public-private synergy can reduce poverty through economically viable skills and quality education.