Oando Foundation Launches Initiative to Revitalize Public Schools in Nigeria
The Oando Foundation has announced a significant initiative aimed at rehabilitating neglected public schools across Nigeria. This effort is part of a broader strategy to improve access to quality education for children nationwide. The foundation’s commitment to national development through enhanced educational opportunities was highlighted during the inauguration of 10 newly upgraded Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centers in four public primary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Tonia Uduimoh, the Head of Oando Foundation, emphasized the importance of this project in a press release. She stated that the initiative reflects the foundation’s dedication to contributing to national development by building human capital. “As an indigenous organization that draws talent from the local labor market, we believe it is crucial to support our country’s growth, particularly in developing the next generation of skilled individuals,” she said.
Uduimoh added that the foundation sees itself as a collaborator with the government. “Our goal is to help restore the glory of our public schools and ensure that the next generation is better prepared to contribute to society and organizations like ours when they enter the workforce,” she explained.
The foundation is advancing its Supporting Early Education and Development (SEED) initiative through the commissioning of these ECCD centers. According to Uduimoh, research shows that the first five years of a child’s life are critical for cognitive and motor development. However, many public ECCD centers lack the necessary infrastructure and resources to support this vital stage of learning.
Through the SEED initiative, the Oando Foundation has upgraded learning spaces, provided age-appropriate instructional materials, and trained teachers to deliver quality early learning. “Our aim is to ensure that children from low-income backgrounds can learn in environments comparable to their peers in private schools,” Uduimoh said.
Mrs. Mina Tolofari, Director of Administration and Supplies, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, commended the foundation’s efforts. “On behalf of RSUBEB, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Oando Foundation for this incredible upgrade to our early childhood classrooms and this marvellous work in our schools. I am overwhelmed with joy that such a good thing would happen in our education system. Thank you, Oando Foundation,” she said.
Key Upgrades and Transformations
The Foundation inaugurated comprehensive upgrades across four public primary schools in Rivers State—Seabed Model Primary School, St Paul’s Model Primary School, Cornel Abbe Model Primary School (CAMPS), and Community Primary School. These upgrades included ten ECCD centers.
According to the press release, the project involved the donation of 720 ergonomic ECCD chairs, 120 ECCD tables, wall-mounted whiteboards, bookshelves, playmats, and digital learning aids such as 50-inch LED televisions preloaded with age-appropriate educational content. Each classroom was also equipped with visual learning tools, educational displays, and reading corners to stimulate curiosity and creativity among pupils.
In addition, one ECCD block received a full overhaul, featuring new playground equipment, exterior painting, murals, and an outdoor interactive learning game—creating a safe and engaging environment for early learners.
Training and Capacity Building
Complementing the physical transformation, the Foundation facilitated a two-day, hands-on training program for ECCD educators, headteachers, education officers, and caregivers across the ten learning centers. The training focused on tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, including children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities.
The LEARNOVATE-SEED initiative, under which the intervention was executed, aims to bridge the gap in early childhood education in Nigeria. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), only one in three children is enrolled in early childhood education in Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for increased investment in ECCD.
The initiative seeks to improve access to quality early learning through upgraded infrastructure, provision of instructional and play materials that foster cognitive and social development, and enhanced teacher capacity through targeted training on modern ECCD pedagogy.