₦20.25 million education initiative aims to help 750 pupils in Lagos

A ₦20.25 million education initiative for 750 pupils has started in 14 public schools in Lagos State.

The Catch Them Young Entrepreneurship Education Foundation (CTYEEF) shared details about the pilot at its official launch in Ikeja on Friday.

The programme will reach schools in Ikeja, Eti-Osa, and Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government areas. It will provide 1,500 textbooks and workbooks focused on pre-vocational studies and digital skills.

CTYEEF stated that the ₦20.25 million covers the cost of learning materials, digital resources, and teacher training involved in the programme.

The foundation mentioned that the Lagos pilot is under the supervision of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board.

They described this pilot as the first step in a larger plan to prepare 10 million children in Nigeria and other African countries with entrepreneurship, vocational, and digital skills by 2040.

CTYEEF Programme Coordinator Unachukwu Nkolika explained that this initiative aims to support Nigeria's updated basic education curriculum. It will provide the necessary resources for effective classroom teaching.

Ms Nkolika pointed out that adding new subjects won't help if teachers are not properly trained and pupils do not have the books and tools they need.

"A curriculum on paper does not change a child’s life. It needs books in the hands of pupils, tools in the classroom, and teachers who are confident to teach new subjects," she said.

She added that the resources will aid lessons in pre-vocational and digital literacy, helping pupils build problem-solving, creativity, and self-reliance skills.

The updated curriculum, starting from the 2025/2026 academic session, will include digital and pre-vocational studies in basic education. It will also broaden vocational subjects for secondary school students.

These subjects include solar panel installation and maintenance, fashion design and garment making, livestock farming, beauty and cosmetology, computer hardware and GSM repairs, and horticulture and crop production.

Ms Nkolika mentioned that CTYEEF will collaborate with education ministries, government agencies, and Universal Basic Education Boards. They aim to supply learning materials and assist teachers in delivering the new subjects.

She also revealed that the foundation got approval from the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board to extend the programme to 10 primary schools in the state.

Apart from pupils in public schools, the foundation plans to focus on out-of-school children and underserved communities in the long term.

They also want to improve access for girls and children with disabilities, as these groups often face extra challenges in getting education and skills training.

CTYEEF said they will keep records of the schools and pupils reached, monitor materials distributed, and publish reports on the programme's outcomes.

The foundation was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2025.

At the launch, BMI Publishers Executive Chairman Nnamdi Unachukwu noted that lack of funding and insufficient teacher preparation are still issues for the updated curriculum in public schools.

BMI Publishers is the programme’s implementation partner and created the books and learning materials used in the pilot.

Mr Unachukwu mentioned that some private schools have started using resources for the new subjects, while many public schools still do not have the necessary materials and training.

He stressed that teachers are key to the curriculum's success and should get support before teaching new vocational and digital subjects.

Mr Unachukwu also said that Nigeria's growing youth population could become a social and economic challenge if young people do not gain employable and entrepreneurial skills.

The pilot was funded by Anthony Anenechukwu of Glowfield International Group of Schools to mark his 50th birthday.

Mr Anenechukwu said he chose to support this programme because educational resources can have a more lasting effect than a personal celebration.

"This partnership is not charity alone. It is strategy. It is nation-building," he said.

He encouraged individuals, businesses, religious groups, and other organizations to help the programme by sponsoring pupils, schools, or learning materials.

CTYEEF stated that making their 2040 target possible will rely on partnerships with governments, companies, development agencies, educational institutions, and private donors.