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Newport Baptist Church, Apapa, Lagos, has challenged the Federal Government to ensure that its education and literacy initiatives translate into tangible benefits for Nigerian children, warning that good policies without effective implementation would achieve little.
Lead Pastor of the church, Adesina Aladewura, gave the charge while speaking on International Literacy Day 2026, saying resources budgeted for education must be fully deployed to the sector.
Aladewura, while commending government’s initiatives on mass literacy, adult and non-formal education, said the real test was whether such programmes worked.
“Oh, it’s a good thing. It’s to make it work that matters. In Nigeria, we have good initiatives, we put commissions together. But at the end of the day, we are wondering what is going on,” he said.
“So, I want to challenge them; they should make it work.”
He said inadequate investment in education continued to limit the ability of Nigerian children to compete effectively with their counterparts elsewhere.
“Whatever is due education, they should give it 100 per cent. If they can, it should be increased. If truly all that is budgeted is being pushed into education, I’m sure we’ll not be where we are today,” Aladewura said.
While commending initiatives such as student loans, he maintained that government alone could not meet all the needs of the education sector, urging churches and other organisations to complement public efforts.
According to him, literacy should go beyond the ability to read and write to equipping people with knowledge and skills to improve their lives, contribute meaningfully to society and protect their environment.
Aladewura said the church was contributing through its “Read and Shine” initiative, which identifies students struggling academically and financially in schools within its neighbourhood and supports them.
“We approach some schools and ask for students who are struggling both academically and financially, and we support them where necessary,” he said.
Head of the church’s Literacy Department, Eudora Nosiri, also raised concern over inadequate facilities, particularly in public schools, saying many lacked computers and other basic learning tools required in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“The children are eager to learn, but they are handicapped because of lack of tools,” Nosiri said, urging government to provide the necessary infrastructure and adequately equip teachers to adapt to changing educational demands.
The International Literacy Day event also featured debate and spelling bee competitions.
Aladewura Sharon led the winning debate team on the topic, “Is AI making people smarter or lazier?”, while Andrew Effie emerged winner of the spelling bee.
Sharon urged government to improve school facilities and expose students to coding and other digital skills, while Effie described literacy as a continuous learning process and encouraged students to take their studies seriously.
“It is not easy to come on stage and do a contest. So, you should take your studies seriously,” he said.
