The Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS) has officially launched www.welearn.africa, a groundbreaking e-learning portal designed to empower underserved communities with 21st-century digital skills.
At the unveiling of the platform in Abuja on Thursday, the NOGALSS National President, Noah Emmanuel, described the initiative as “not merely about launching a platform, but about launching dreams’.
Emmanuel said the initiative was product of a collaborative initiative led by NOGALSS, in partnership with the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and the GIZ Digital Literacy Project.
According to him, the welearn.africa platform is tailored to promote inclusive education by making digital learning accessible to learners and also complement 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 commended Mr Wolfgang Lohmann, GCE Senior Programme Manager, whose recent visit to Nigeria provided pivotal support and guidance that birth the initiative.
The Director ICT, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Zainab Abubakar, highlighted the importance of fostering digital skills as a critical component in building a resilient and inclusive educational 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, National Commission for Mass Literacy Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), lauded the journey in developing the platform and pledged continued collaboration.
Represented by the Chief Information Officer, Tolu Oni, Akpama described the initiative as “a lasting project that deserves all the 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.
