Afriimpact lifts Lagos schools with STEM materials

By Izunna Nkwachukwu

Afriimpact Development Organisation, in partnership with STEMi Makers of Africa, has, through its Back To School Education Initiative, donated school materials to a basic school in Iwaya, Makoko, Lagos.

The two partnering non-governmental organisations (NGOs) recently donated the materials to 148 students of Progress Nursery and Primary School in Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos where many families face economic challenges, making it difficult to provide their children with school supplies consistently.

“Seeing a child hold a brand-new book is a reminder that access to learning materials can spark a question, inspire an idea, and keep a child in school,” the partners stated.

The founder and programme lead of Afriimpact, Rosemary Chidera Onugha, said her team noticed that more than 30 days after schools had resumed, many children in the school were still using exercise books from the previous term, while some were using a single notebook across several subjects.

In light of this, she added, “We realised that a child’s ability to learn and participate confidently in the classroom can be affected by the lack of these essential supplies.

“We believe every child deserves a fair start and an opportunity to learn, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (Quality Education).”

Onugha stated that partnering with STEMi Makers of Africa for the project was impactful, making it possible to reach more students, provide more for them, and help them participate more confidently in their academic activities.

The Afriimpact founder advised parents is to prioritise the basic school needs of their children and remember that preparing a child for school does not necessarily mean buying everything at once.

“Parents can start with basic items such as exercise books, pens and pencils, and gradually provide other materials as resources become available. Schools and community organisations may be able to provide support or suggest affordable alternatives,” she added.

The founder and executive director of STEMi Makers of Africa, Dr Amanda Obidike, noted that they have watched Afriimpact implement laudable and sustainable programmes that advance education, ranging from empowering marginalised girls to providing learning resource materials to young people in underserved communities, especially in slums.

“We partnered with Afriimpact because we deeply believe in the vital work that they do. Furthermore, we share mutual values centred on championing and advancing education across Nigeria.

Dr Obidike seized the opportunity to advocate the inclusion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in basic school curriculum across Nigeria to equip students with critical life skills, bridge socio-economic equity gaps, and prepare them for a tech-driven economy.

“While traditional education often treats these disciplines as isolated, highly specialised fields, incorporating STEM at the foundational level shifts the focus toward practical, interdisciplinary learning. Providing these tools early ensures that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, have access to high-earning career paths,” she said.

On what society can do to make sure that underserved students get the basic materials they need for school, the STEMi boss recommended a combination of targeted public policy reforms, robust public-private partnerships (PPPs), and grassroots community actions.

She said that when students lack basic learning tools, they face immediate barriers to school attendance, academic performance, and self-esteem.

Addressing this issue, she stressed, requires structural, community-wide interventions across several key areas, such as supporting community-based organisations and nonprofits to drive social impact, implementing equitable funding models, and empowering families through essential services and amenities.

The Makoko children were happy to receive the school supplies, and the school welcomed the gesture warmly. The project partners noted that the experience reinforced the importance of partnerships between schools, community organisations, and other stakeholders in addressing educational challenges.