The Adunni Foundation has called for a renewed national commitment to basic education as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary.
The Foundation made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, stressing that political independence must be matched by access to quality education for every Nigerian child.
The organisation said its advocacy is anchored on the philosophy that “Education is Independence,” a conviction articulated by its Founder, Motunrayo Alaka, during the launch of the #Edupendent Campaign at the maiden edition of the Basic Education Torchbearers Awards (BETA) in October 2025.
According to the Foundation, while political independence gave Nigeria sovereignty as a nation, education equips citizens with the knowledge, skills, confidence and opportunities required to exercise their freedom and participate meaningfully in society.
Alaka said the emancipation of the Nigerian child’s mind was critical to fulfilling the promise of the country’s independence.
She questioned what independence means to children who cannot access quality education or those who attend school but fail to acquire the required learning outcomes.
The Foundation also asked whether every Nigerian child, regardless of background or circumstance, has a fair opportunity to develop their potential.
It identified access to education, learning outcomes, inadequate infrastructure, teacher capacity, inequality and school safety among the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s basic education sector.
However, it said these challenges exist alongside the efforts of educators, communities, institutions, organisations and individuals working to improve educational opportunities for children across the country.
The Foundation established BETA to recognise such contributions and encourage greater collective action towards strengthening basic education.
Following its inaugural edition in 2025, BETA will return in Lagos in October 2026 under the theme, “Carrying the Torch: Reimagining Basic Education for Nigeria’s Future.”
The Foundation said the awards would honour individuals, institutions and communities whose commitment, sacrifice and innovation have contributed to advancing basic education in Nigeria.
It added that the #Edupendent Campaign, launched in 2025, would continue to promote public awareness around the importance of education to freedom and national development.
According to the organisation, the campaign will work with relevant stakeholders to expand access to basic education, support efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children and strengthen accountability for the provision of compulsory basic education.
The Adunni Foundation, founded by Alaka, is a Christian-inspired social impact organisation focused on education, youth opportunities, economic access and the promotion of a culture of goodwill.
It said its programmes combine advocacy, research, capacity building, philanthropy and collaboration to create sustainable and measurable social impact.
The Foundation is chaired by Yele Okeremi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Precise Financial Systems.
BETA was established as part of the Foundation’s efforts to celebrate and encourage those contributing to the development of basic education in Nigeria. The 2025 edition was held under the theme, “Honouring the Past: Celebrating Legacy in Basic Education.”
