From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
In commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Education, Build A Child Initiative, in collaboration with Bramble Network, convened students, educators, and education stakeholders to engage with the United Nations theme, The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education.
Held on 16 February 2026 at the Bosso Campus of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, the event convened about 50 participants, including students, lecturers, school administrators, education professionals, and youth advocates, for a focused dialogue on grassroots education reform. Panelists, including Paul Ishaya, a lecturer at Kaduna State Polytechnic and technology innovation advocate, and Becky Nwokike, an education professional with experience in teaching, business development, and international student recruitment across West Africa, emphasized the need for Nigeria’s education system to evolve beyond a strictly teacher-centered approach and move toward more inclusive, student-driven models. They also proposed practical strategies, such as student involvement in lesson planning and curriculum development, youth representation in school decision-making structures, and the expansion of project-based and peer-learning approaches.
Janet Isesele, Executive Director of Build A Child Initiative, also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to create opportunities for students to engage with peers across borders, noting that such exposure broadens perspectives, builds confidence, and equips young people, particularly girls, with the skills and self-belief needed to thrive in an increasingly globalised world.
Beyond advocacy, Build A Child Initiative continues to deliver direct educational support to underserved children across Nigeria. As part of this commitment, the organization recently awarded nine fully funded scholarships to pupils in Niger State as the first phase of its BACI Scholars Programme (BSP), an initiative designed to provide tuition support and essential educational relief materials through the completion of primary education. The programme aims to improve retention, reduce dropout rates, and ensure that under-served children especially girls are able to complete their foundational schooling. In Kogi State, the Initiative also distributed 15 school bags to children from underserved communities, providing essential learning materials that support school readiness and reinforce the importance of dignity and inclusion in the educational experience.
Through a combination of grassroots advocacy, youth-centered dialogue, and targeted educational support, Build A Child Initiative continues its commitment to improving access, equity, and meaningful participation within Nigeria’s education sector, while positioning young people not just as beneficiaries of reform, but as active contributors to its future.
