By By Elizabeth Ugbo
British Airways has donated laptops to beneficiaries of IA-Foundation in Lagos, aiming to help vulnerable and out-of-school children gain digital skills, improve access to technology-enabled education, and support efforts to reduce Nigeria’s education and digital inclusion gaps. The donation was announced on Saturday after a handover ceremony attended by representatives of the airline, IA-Foundation officials and beneficiaries.
British Airways Supports Digital Learning for Vulnerable Children
The handover ceremony brought together British Airways representatives, IA-Foundation officials and children who will benefit from the initiative.
Chairman of IA-Foundation, Diran Famakinwa, received the laptops on behalf of the organisation alongside staff members and beneficiaries.
British Airways was represented by its Account Managers, Peju Diya and Mr. Bodunrin, as well as its Administration Manager, Matthew Akano.
According to IA-Foundation, the laptops will expand access to digital learning resources for children who previously had little or no exposure to computers.
The foundation said the donation would strengthen the beneficiaries’ digital learning capacity and improve their educational opportunities.
IA-Foundation Hails Corporate Support
Founder of IA-Foundation, Ibironke Adeagbo, described the donation as a positive sign that more private organisations now recognise the importance of digital inclusion.
“These donations show that corporate organisations increasingly recognise the importance of closing the digital divide and helping Nigerian children stay ahead in the digital age,” Adeagbo said.
She added that the support would strengthen the foundation’s efforts to reintegrate vulnerable and out-of-school children into formal education through technology-driven interventions.
Donation Will Boost Digital Skills
Programme Manager of IA-Foundation, Ms. Ope Adedara, thanked British Airways for the timely intervention.
“We are grateful to British Airways for this generous gesture. It is a timely boost to our ongoing efforts to provide beneficiaries with the tools they need to learn and thrive in today’s increasingly digital world,” Adedara said.
She explained that the laptops would support learning, research and the children’s overall educational development.
Foundation Calls for More Corporate Investment
The foundation urged more corporate organisations, development partners and individuals to invest in education for disadvantaged children.
It stressed that digital inclusion remains essential for improving learning outcomes and preparing children for future opportunities.
Nigeria Still Battles Out-of-School Children Crisis
IA-Foundation noted that solving Nigeria’s out-of-school children challenge requires a united effort.
“Tackling the out-of-school children crisis is in everyone’s enlightened self-interest and requires collective action,” the foundation stated.
Nigeria has one of the world’s largest populations of out-of-school children. Government agencies and international organisations estimate that more than 18 million school-age children remain outside the formal education system.
Poverty, insecurity, child labour, early marriage, displacement and inadequate school infrastructure continue to fuel the crisis.
Digital Divide Remains a Major Challenge
Education experts also identify the digital divide as a major barrier to quality education.
Millions of children in underserved communities still lack computers, reliable internet access and digital literacy opportunities. Consequently, many struggle to compete in today’s technology-driven economy.
The Federal Government has introduced several programmes to improve school enrolment and learning outcomes. These include interventions by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, and education initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, stakeholders believe stronger collaboration with the private sector remains essential to close both education and technology gaps.
IA-Foundation Expands Efforts to Return Children to School
IA-Foundation continues to champion initiatives that return vulnerable children to classrooms.
Recently, the organisation launched a white paper highlighting the long-term economic consequences of Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
It also introduced the IA Portal, a platform that enables individuals and organisations to identify and sponsor out-of-school children.
Education advocates say initiatives like British Airways’ laptop donation complement broader efforts to equip disadvantaged children with digital skills and improve their future opportunities.
