NABU, the international literacy nonprofit, has partnered with WhatsApp, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF) to introduce “NABU Nigeria.” This initiative, unveiled on International Literacy Day, is dedicated to tackling Nigeria’s literacy issues and promoting the preservation of its rich culture.
The primary goal of this collaborative effort is to provide easily accessible children’s ebooks to young Nigerians. By doing so, it aims to encourage literacy among Nigerian youth while also fostering an appreciation for their unique cultural heritage.
According to statistics, a staggering 70% of Nigerian children struggle with reading comprehension and basic math. The research underscores the importance of mother-tongue books in helping children bridge the literacy gap and achieve better educational outcomes. UNESCO recognises that education in one’s mother tongue is pivotal for inclusion, quality learning, improved learning outcomes, and academic performance. This underscores the significance of providing children with ebooks in their local languages.
The partnership’s founding partners, WhatsApp and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s family foundation, CAFF, have played a crucial role in establishing NABU’s presence in Nigeria. As part of this collaboration, NABU has launched its initial collection of ebooks, available in both Igbo and English.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, WhatsApp’s inaugural global ambassador, brings his personal experiences into his role. His mother used to sing him Igbo lullabies, ensuring he remained connected to his Nigerian roots. With a strong desire to safeguard his culture for generations to come, Giannis has teamed up with CAFF. Together, they are on a mission to empower Nigerian families, enabling them to share and transmit their rich cultural heritage through the use of NABU’s ebooks.
NABU’s expansion into Nigeria is making a positive impact on local employment opportunities. The initiative has brought together a team of 20 talented creative professionals, including writers, illustrators, and editors. Additionally, NABU has provided training to 50 local illustrators, enhancing their skills and expertise.
In honor of International Literacy Day, NABU has introduced its first-ever series of custom ebooks. These ebooks are now available for free on the NABU app. Currently, they are offered in both Igbo and English languages, with exciting plans underway to launch books in Hausa, Yoruba, and other Nigerian languages in the near future. This initiative not only promotes literacy but also celebrates the rich diversity of Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
This initiative is not the first of its kind. We reported in May that Kunda Kids, a London-based edtech and media publishing company with a shared mission, successfully secured $700,000 in funding. Their goal? To offer high-quality stories that enable children to explore and appreciate Africa’s multifaceted heritage.
NABU, on the other hand, takes an innovative approach that harnesses technology to make children’s books accessible for free on digital platforms, presented in their native languages. This initiative has a dual purpose: to disrupt the cycle of poverty by improving educational prospects and to safeguard cultural richness for generations to come.
