Education
15 UNILAG Students Receive Educational Grants from Olam Agri

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Fifteen students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been chosen as the first beneficiaries of educational grants from Olam Agri in Nigeria through its Seeds for the Future Education Grant.
The grants aim to support the academic pursuit of the beneficiaries to fast-track learning and attainment of excellence among students in tertiary institutions targeting a long-term impact on the national productivity level.
The support framework is awarded to the best-qualified applicants using a merit-based selection process that strictly adheres to the rules of fairness, transparency, fair play, and independent audit, from the application, and shortlisting, all through to the finalists’ selection stages. It is open to all the courses of study offered in Nigeria’s federal and state-owned tertiary institutions.
Olam Agri said it came up with this initiative as part of its commitment to keep investing in enhancing human capital and economic development in the country.
The beneficiaries for this batch were selected from various departments of UNILAG and they include Uvere Franca and Ihejiamatu Anthony of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Oyibo Ufedo-Ojo and Olaloko Olamide of the Department of Civil Engineering, Bamigbose Joseph and Adeniran Ridwanullah of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Akinyade Simisola and Ugoegbulem David of the Department of Education Foundation amongst others.
“We recognize that the private sector has a key role to play in collaborating to drive sustainable growth in the economy.
“In line with the federal government’s economic development agenda, we are glad to be investing in bright and hardworking students who are in the best position to deliver the innovation and inputs that will drive the economy in the nearest future,” the Country Head of Olam Agri, Mr Ashish Pande, said at the presentation of the grants on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the company’s head office in Lagos.
“The educational grants are a key part of the Seeds for the Future (SFTF) Initiative’s target of enabling wider education and skills development for young people amongst others.
“Launched in 2022, the initiative serves as our social sustainability investment vehicle with five levers, namely, supporting farms and farmers, enabling wider education and skill development for young people, empowering impoverished women, promoting health and nutrition across the country, and reducing carbon emissions in our business operations,” he added.
On his part, the Vice President of Commercial at Olam Agri, Mr Bolaji Anifowoshe, admonished the students to make the best use of the grants.
“Olam Agri is excited to be a part of your success journey. What you do with the grants will have a direct impact on your lives. Keep ensuring you do whatever you need to do to be the best irrespective of the resources available to you always,” he said.
In their remarks, the students applauded Olam Agri for its support, with Uvere Franca saying, “I have heard about people receiving academic support. This is my first time receiving an educational grant. I am happy for this. The grant will help me purchase the resources and tools that will aid my learning as well as support my tuition. I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to Olam Agri.”
Education
Oando Foundation Pilots Language-Based Literacy Initiative in Ebonyi, Others

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To improve foundational literacy and numeracy in Nigeria, Oando Foundation has introduced an initiative called Foundational Learning Improvement Programme (LEARNOVATE – FLIP).
About 80 public primary schools across four of the 36 states of the federation, namely Ebonyi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Adamawa, would be used for the pilot of the programme by the organisation.
The aim is to support the government to achieve its Universal Basic Education goal by leveraging evidence-based methods to address the learning crisis in Nigeria and build.
Oando Foundation is going on this journey by partnering with other organisations like the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa, the Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA), and the Hilltrust Top Foundation.
This scheme integrates two methodologies by taking a targeted approach to enhance inclusive and equitable quality education.
The first is the Early Grade Reading (EGR), which is co-implemented by QEDA and Hilltrust Top Foundation, and focuses on foundational literacy for primary 1–3 pupils in Ebonyi, Plateau, and Sokoto States.
By employing mother tongue and English materials, the initiative ensures pupils build strong reading and comprehension skills.
The second method used TaRL to provide remedial literacy and numeracy support for primary 4–6 pupils in Adamawa State, particularly those with interrupted schooling.
The initiative builds on Oando Foundation’s current LEARNOVATE strategy centred around improving foundational learning through innovative approaches and promoting sustainability within educational systems.
“We are excited to introduce the Foundational Learning Improvement Programme as part of our LEARNOVATE strategy, in line with our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every child, especially in underserved communities, has access to quality education.
“By incorporating evidence-based methodologies and focusing on lesson instructions and assessments in mother-tongue, we aim to address the existing learning gaps among young learners and create a deeper understanding of how to improve educational outcomes for Nigerian students.
“The impact of this pilot will not only inform future educational practices but will also support the achievement of the United Nations’ SDG 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Ultimately, our goal is to empower children with the foundational skills they need to succeed, contributing to the sustainable growth and development of their communities and Nigeria as a whole,” the Head of Oando Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh, commented.
Also, the chairman of the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs Patience Ogodo, commended Oando Foundation for its unwavering commitment to transforming education in Nigeria.
“By integrating evidence-based methodologies and prioritizing inclusive approaches such as mother-tongue assessments, this program not only improves learning outcomes but also empowers students to realize their full potential.”
Education
Stanbic IBTC Transforms Ibeku High School Umuahia

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Ibeku High School in Umuahia, Abia State, has witnessed an extensive transformation courtesy of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc through its Adopt-A-School initiative.
The company renovated five classrooms and furnished them with new furniture; ensuring students enjoy a comfortable and conducive learning environment.
The firm also constructed a new multipurpose hall, which added versatility to the school’s facilities, thereby providing space for assemblies, school events, and various educational activities.
In addition, staff facilities received significant attention, with both the guidance counsellor’s office and staffroom undergoing complete makeovers to create professional working spaces for educators.
Furthermore, Stanbic IBTC rehabilitated a modern computer laboratory for the school and equipped it with 20 advanced computer systems and 25 workstations, positioning students to develop crucial digital skills for the modern workplace.
To demonstrate its environmental consciousness, the organisation strategically planted 100 trees across the school grounds, creating shade and improving the overall campus atmosphere.
This comprehensive upgrade has transformed the learning environment for 720 students and 52 teachers, bringing modern educational resources to the community.
The financial institution carried out this transformation in demonstration of its ongoing commitment to revolutionising educational facilities across Nigeria.
“The Adopt-A-School initiative remains a significant part of our broader mission to foster sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.
“We are dedicated to creating an environment where children can learn and thrive,” the acting chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr Kunle Adedeji, said.
Since the inception of the Adopt-A-School programme, Stanbic IBTC has upgraded several schools across the nation, including in Ogun, Niger, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Sokoto, Borno, and Gombe states.
Each project reinforces Stanbic IBTC’s dedication to fostering educational excellence and creating lasting impact in communities across Nigeria.
Education
Fidelity Bank Renovates Emotan College Library in Edo

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The library at Emotan College in Benin City, Edo State has been renovated by Fidelity Bank Plc through the Fidelity Helping Hands Program (FHHP) championed by the Phoenix Inductee Class of Fidelity Bank.
The facility was give a facelift by the lender as part of its education Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillar.
The action was taken by the financial institution in demonstration of its unwavering commitment to enhancing its host communities’ lifestyles and promoting quality education delivery across the country.
At the official handover ceremony, the Regional Bank Head of Midwest 1 at Fidelity Bank, Ovie Mukoro, highlighted the alignment of the renovation project with the bank’s CSR pillars, emphasizing the promotion of quality education and youth empowerment.
“The renovation project reflects the Bank’s commitment to enhancing the lives of its host communities through the dedication and generosity of its newly inducted staff who voluntarily contributed funds to support the project,” Mukoro stated.
The Principal of Emotan Junior College, Mrs Idukpaye Henrietta, expressed her gratitude, noting that the investment in the school is an investment in the nation’s future.
She looked forward to a lasting partnership that would continue to uplift and empower the students.
Similarly, Mrs Sandra Iyalekhue, Acting Education Secretary, Oredo Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), commended Fidelity Bank for the kind gesture, noting that the project would contribute to the educational development of the students and promote research work.
In Abuja, Fidelity Bank further demonstrated its CSR commitment by donating 40 tables and chairs to LEA School at the Federal Capital Territory.
This initiative, also executed under the FHHP by the Prodigies Inductees Class, aims to support quality education delivery in a bid to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 – Quality Education.
The Divisional Head of Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank, Mr Meksley Nwagboh, emphasised the importance of supporting education as a tool for societal improvement.
“At Fidelity Bank, we recognize the importance of supporting education as a tool for improving society. Through initiatives like this, we aim to ensure that every child has access to essential educational resources and become an asset to their family, their community and the nation,” the brand strategist said.
The headmaster of LEA School, Mr Mohamed Musa, expressed his gratitude for the timely intervention, noting that the donation would address the critical need for adequate classroom seating, preventing students from having to sit on the floor during classes.
He encouraged other corporations to follow Fidelity Bank’s lead and support quality education delivery.
These initiatives come to join a long list of Fidelity Bank’s interventions in the education sector.
It will be recalled that the bank launched the Read2Lead Initiative last year to foster a culture of reading and writing among young people.
The bank also hosted a webinar targeted at businesses operating in the education sector, themed, Maintaining Educational Standards Amidst Current Economic Realities, in September 2024 as part of its strategy to improve the country’s education system.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 251 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Awards; the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023; and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.
It was also recognised as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023 and the Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.
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