The Destiny Trust has expanded access to education in Lagos riverine communities with the launch of a new digital learning space and classroom block for children in Abegede, Idi-Ori, Dongo and surrounding areas in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area.
The intervention is aimed at addressing persistent barriers to education in hard-to-reach communities, including poor infrastructure, shortage of classrooms and teachers, low internet connectivity and lack of electricity, which have contributed to high numbers of out-of-school children.
Co-founder of The Destiny Trust, Abimbola Ojenike, said the new facility marks a shift in how education is delivered to underserved communities, with technology playing a central role in bridging learning gaps.
“A new chapter has opened for the children of Abegede, Idi-Ori, Dongo, and other surrounding riverine communities of Ibeju-Lekki,” Ojenike said.
He explained that the digital learning space is designed to complement classroom teaching and extend quality education to locations where conventional learning infrastructure is limited.
“This also houses a digital learning space, an example of what we are working to set up in many remote communities. We can’t take education to the last mile without the support of technology,” he said.
Ojenike said the platform, OurSchool Africa, provides multimedia learning devices pre-loaded with video lessons aligned with the Nigerian basic education curriculum, which can be accessed with or without internet connectivity.
He added that each learning space is powered by solar energy to ensure uninterrupted learning in communities without reliable electricity.
According to him, Nigeria’s shortage of teachers at the basic education level makes technology-driven learning solutions critical in expanding access to education.
He also noted the daily challenges faced by children in the riverine communities, many of whom cross the Lagos Lagoon to attend school, stressing the need to make education safer and more appealing.
Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, represented by Education Supervisor, Mr Sodiq Agbaje, commended the initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to improving educational access in riverine communities.
He reaffirmed the council’s support for interventions aimed at expanding learning opportunities and improving education infrastructure in the area.
The project also provides water and sanitation facilities for pupils and teachers, addressing key welfare gaps affecting school attendance and learning conditions in the communities.
Olawale Franklin Akinselure is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with 12 years of experience covering education, politics, health, environment, judiciary, metro, and community beats. He specializes in producing insightful, wide-ranging reports that inform and engage readers. His reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a dedication to accurate, reliable journalism.
Read the full article here
