Oando Foundation, an independent charity established to support the Nigerian Government in achieving its Universal Basic Education (UBE) goals, has commissioned ten newly upgraded Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centers across four public primary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The intervention, executed under the Foundation’s LEARNOVATE-SEED (Supporting Early Childhood Education and Development) initiative, reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to improving learning outcomes for young children and promoting inclusive and equitable education systems in Nigeria.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), only one in three children are enrolled for early childhood education in Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for increased investment in ECCD.
The LEARNOVATE-SEED initiative addresses this gap by improving access to quality early learning through upgraded infrastructure, the provision of age-appropriate instructional and play materials that foster cognitive and social development, and enhanced teacher capacity through targeted training on modern ECCD pedagogy.
In addition, the initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 4, particularly Target 4.2, which calls for ensuring that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
The Foundation commissioned comprehensive upgrades across four public primary schools in Rivers State — Seabed Model Primary School, St Paul’s Model Primary School, Cornel Abbe Model Primary School (CAMPS), and Community Primary School — enhancing a total of ten ECCD centers.
The project included the donation of 720 ergonomic ECCD chairs, 120 ECCD tables, wall-mounted whiteboards, bookshelves, playmats, and digital learning aids such as 50-inch LED televisions preloaded with age-appropriate educational content.
Each classroom was also fitted with visual learning tools, educational displays, and reading corners to stimulate curiosity and creativity among pupils.
In addition, one ECCD block received a full overhaul featuring new playground equipment, exterior painting, murals, and an outdoor interactive learning game — creating a safe and engaging environment for early learners.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Tonia Uduimoh, Head of Oando Foundation, underscored the significance of investing in early childhood education as the bedrock of long-term learning outcomes.
She said: “As an indigenous organization that draws a significant pool of its talent from the local labour market, it is important that we contribute meaningfully to national development — especially in building human capital.
“Our goal, through the Oando Foundation, is to help restore the glory of our public schools. We see ourselves as collaborators with the government — doing our part to ensure that the next generation is better prepared to add value to society, and to organizations like ours, when they enter the workforce.
“Today, we have taken a significant step in that direction through the SEED initiative — Supporting Early Education and Development. With this, we are handing over ten newly upgraded Early Childhood Care and Development Centers across four schools here in Rivers State.
“Research shows that the first five years of a child’s life are critical for cognitive and motor development, yet many public ECCD centres are not fit for this purpose. Through SEED, we have upgraded learning spaces, provided age-appropriate instructional materials, and trained teachers with the requisite skills to deliver quality early learning. Our aim is to ensure that children from low-income backgrounds can learn in environments comparable to their peers in private schools.’
Also commenting on the initiative, Mrs. Mina Gabriella Tolofari, Director of Administration and Supplies, representing Sir Samuel Ogeh, Executive Chairman, Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) commended Oando Foundation’s efforts, noting: “On behalf of RSUBEB, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Oando Foundation for this incredible upgrade to our early childhood classrooms and this marvelous work in our schools. I am overwhelmed with joy that such a good thing would happen in our education system. Thank you, Oando Foundation.”
Also, complementing the physical transformation, the Foundation facilitated a two-day, hands-on teacher training programme for ECCD educators, headteachers, education officers, and caregivers across the ten learning centres.
The training equipped teachers with practical tools to deliver high-quality early learning, focusing on child development, curriculum delivery, inclusive classroom practices, outdoor and experiential learning, and effective application of the national ECCD Education curriculum.
Teachers were also guided on tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, including children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities.
To date, Oando Foundation has upgraded 41 Early Childhood Care Centres, benefiting over 6,500 children.
This initiative forms part of the Foundation’s broader LEARNOVATE strategy, which prioritizes innovation and investment in foundational learning to create better life opportunities for children and youth through equitable, quality, and climate-sensitive education.
A key component, LEARNING, focuses on advancing innovation in education to promote equity, strengthen foundational skills, and enhance outcomes for in-school children and youth.