Amidst frightening statistics that show that basic education is a shadow of itself in Nigeria, a new organisation takes a bold step that could redefine the path to glory and make basic education strong again. The foundation launched last week in Lagos with highlights in this NPO Reports’ coverage
On Tuesday October 21, 2025, Prof Michael Abiola Omolewa bestrode the stage of the Main Hall of the NECA building, Hakeem Balogun street in the Central Business District of Ikeja, in the heart of Lagos like a Colossus.
As he paced the expansive stage, the same way he had bestrode the world of education in Nigeria and beyond in decades, his words kept the hall in pin-drop silence. His audience was majorly made of a huge population of basic education learners, some parents, teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector.
Organisers of the event, Adunni Foundation could not have grabbed a more inspiring, insightful speaker to launch its journey of “spotlight (ing) both celebrated and unsung heroes whose sacrifices and foresight have laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s educational journey.”
Though he had his well-prepared keynote speech. But Omolewa, the teacher that he is, delivered messages that touched on the raw nerves of his listeners extempore.
He didn’t want them to leave those seats without adding to themselves some tools that would help them navigate the rest of their journeys in education.
He regaled them with stories of his struggles to be educated. The challenges he encountered. The pains of his education. The boldness and courage he put into it. And the favours that he met along the lines.
There was no better way an educator could have taught the ‘class’ the lesson that Education leads to independence, a major idea that BETA sought to launch on that day with its introduction of Edu-Pendent.
Motunrayo Famuyiwa-Alaka, better known for her decades of work in strategic journalism development, is at the centre of Basic Education Torchbearers Awards (BETA).
Adunni Foundation, powering the BETA initiative, comes from what Yoruba call Oriki (panegyrics)
“Adunni, is my middle name, it means “sweet/pleasant to have.” It is my oruko oriki, a name that connects me to my Yoruba roots and to my parents’ legacy of kindness and community building.
“So, I stand before you today, as Motunrayo Adunni Famuyiwa-Alaka — the daughter of two quiet change makers, standing on their shoulders and the legacy of countless unsung heroes who build lives through knowledge and goodwill,” the Adunni Foundation founder told her audience.
Her parents, as she stated, were “quiet changemakers.” But boldly she has sought to make changes in the education sector in a country where many sectors face the most daunting challenges.
The launch of the foundation coincided with the 70 years of Universal Basic Education Programme in Nigeria.
Such a milestone! It is significant that Adunni Foundation chose to present itself to the public by rewarding the works of those it sees as torchbearers whose works set the building blocks for what produced the educated elite of today.
Hence , the awards to missionary forebearers such as Mr and Mrs Henry Townsend, who founded the Christian Mission Society (CMS) schools, Mr and Mrs Hope Wadell who founded the popular Wadell Institute in Calabar; Mary Slessor, who stopped the killing of twins; Rev and Mrs Birch Freeman and Samuel Ajayi Crowther.
Others who were fished out for recognition include Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Lateef Jakande who all got the BETA Visionaries Award.
Achievers such as Mr. Josial Soyemi Ogunlesi, Chief Stephen Awokoya, Chief Fola Ighodalo, Dr Tai Solarin, Mrs Sheila Solarin, Prof Akin Mabogunje, Prof Ngozi Osarenren, Prof Pai Obanya, and Prof Michael Omolewa.
This category of awardees has those who had at one time or the other, been innovatively involved in the development of education programmes and policies that have shaped public education in the country.
For instance, Ogunlesi is credited with the idea of Universal Basic Education which started in 1955 and clocked 70 years this year.
Famuyiwa-Alaka told her audience, “It is fitting that we gather today to honour those who keep the flame of learning alive and to remind ourselves that Nigeria’s infancy at 65 is tied to the underdevelopment of its educational sector. And we must build up from the foundation – basic education.”
Nigeria is still an infant at 65 in her education journey, Famuyiwa-Alaka regretted.
Which possibly explained why Prof Omolewa, in his keynote address, said the Adunni Foundation’s ideas presents us “with an opportunity to reimagine and reform our educational system.” He went further to state that “There is a pressing need to create a learning environment that fosters academic excellence; build well-equipped laboratories, modernise and digitise library collections, preserve and enhance access to archives for research, and, critically, prioritise the welfare of teachers and all stakeholders in the education sector.”
The founder’s menu of strategies for achieving the goal of reviving the education sector, especially the basic level, looks a tall order of a task.
Adunni Foundation has as part of its projects, Edu-pendent Learning Fund which is meant to power innovation, educators, alumni, and learners shaping tomorrow; Exchange Programmes meant to enhance global experiences and local impact; Town-and-Gown Dialogues aimed at connecting academia with real-world change.
Adunni Foundation also has as its plan what it called Alumni Interventions to ensure lifelong learning and mentorship adding its STEAM and Tech Labs, a scheme meant to nurture creativity, science, and digital skills.
Its BETA Awards, aimed at celebrating and honouring builders of Nigeria’s educational foundation was what the foundation chose to hit the town with on October 21, in Lagos when it gave plagues to deserving awardees including, of course, stars of basic education qualifying examinations who all proudly stepped out for their awards on that day.
Miss Michelle Kosisochukwu Okeke, who won the Outstanding award for overall best in NCEE in 2025; Miss Kosisochukwu Nwachukwu for the overall second best in position in NCEE 2025; Master Naeto Daniel Alocha for overall third position in NCEE 2025.
Others who won the BETA awards were Master Amir Umar Salihu, for overall best position in BECE 2025, Miss Daniella Chiamaka Michael and Miss Esther Ogooluwa Ogunsola for the second and third positions respectively in BECE 2025.
Adunni Foundation’s bold entry into education development works appears to have gingered the younger generation that filled the hall that day. And judging by the landmarks Famuyiwa-Alaka had recorded in her media development works over two decades, her footprints seem to be set to stamped on Nigeria’s education sector.