The Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS) has unveiled a pioneering e-learning platform, www.welearn.africa, aimed at equipping underserved communities with essential 21st-century digital skills.
At the Abuja launch, NOGALSS National President Noah Emmanuel described the platform as ‘not just about launching a platform, but about launching dreams’.
Emmanuel stated that the initiative was a result of a collaborative effort spearheaded by NOGALSS, in conjunction with the Global Campaign for Education and the GIZ Digital Literacy Project.
According to him, the welearn.africa platform is intended to make digital learning accessible to learners, thereby promoting inclusive education and complementing both formal and informal educational systems.
“This initiative is not merely about launching a platform, it is about launching dreams.
“It is about equipping children, youth, women, and other members of underserved communities with the 21st century digital skills necessary to navigate an increasingly digital world.
“It is also about fostering intergenerational learning, allowing knowledge and skills to flow across generations, enriching lives, and building sustainable livelihoods,” he said. 1
He praised Mr Wolfgang Lohmann, GCE Senior Programme Manager, for his recent visit to Nigeria, which provided crucial support and guidance for the initiative.
The Director ICT, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Zainab Abubakar, emphasized the importance of developing digital skills as a key component of a resilient and inclusive education system.
Represented by Mrs Hope Ochei, Programme Analyst, Department of ICT at the ministry, Abubakar, commended tye organisation’s efforts in bridging the digital divide and ensuring that no child is left behind.
“This approach does not only ensure that children gain essential digital skills, but also foster invaluable connections between generations, allowing wisdom and knowledge to flow in both directions within our communities,” she said.
Prof. Simon Akpama, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, commended the development journey of the platform and pledged ongoing collaboration, represented by Chief Information Officer Tolu Oni. Akpama, via Oni, described the initiative as a ‘lasting project worthy of commendation and support.’
“This is a lasting project that should receive all commendation, all support, all collaboration needed from everyone.
The Secretary General, National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM-UNESCO), Mr Lateef Olagunju, represented by an Assistant Director Oluwafemi Ojo, affirmed the organisation’s willingness to provide technical support for the project.
“In times to come, Nigerian children will no longer be regarded as backward, but be able to compete reasonably well with their co-partners all over the world with this e-learning project we are entering,” he said.
Similarly, Christiana Simon, Deputy Manager, Literacy and Capacity Building Department, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), celebrated the organisation’s work as critical to Nigeria’s goal of reaching 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030, up from the current estimated of 50 per cent.
“We cannot do this alone,” she emphasized, calling on continued collaboration with civil society organisations like NOGALSS,” she said.
