Follow Us on Google
Supply chain expert and author, Adenike Onasoga, has called for greater investment in educating children about innovation, logistics and problem-solving through storytelling, saying early exposure to supply chain concepts will help prepare the next generation for future global disruptions.
Speaking at the signing of her debut children’s book, Semira & The Toy Trailblazers, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, Onasoga said she wrote the book to simplify the often technical subject of supply chain and make it engaging for young readers.
Drawing from her 17 years of experience in the industry, she explained that the book was inspired by the need to bridge the knowledge gap in supply chain education while encouraging creativity and innovation among children.
“From my experience, supply chain can be very technical, so I decided to make it more accessible and fun so that children can learn about supply chain,” she said.
According to her, one of the major challenges facing the industry today is the innovation gap, stressing that introducing children to the principles of efficiency and collaboration from an early age would equip them with valuable life skills.
She explained that Semira & The Toy Trailblazers presents supply chain concepts through project-based learning and adventure, exposing children to safety, quality assurance, technology-driven solutions, collaboration and continuous improvement.
“It is an opportunity to challenge young minds. There is so much children can do, and I want them to begin adding value from the start,” she said.
The book follows the adventures of Semira, a courageous young girl with strong leadership qualities who, alongside her friends, uses creativity and teamwork to solve real-life problems. Each member of the team possesses unique strengths in areas such as logistics, safety and continuous improvement, making the story both educational and entertaining.
Onasoga said she deliberately chose Comoros, a small island nation in Africa, as the setting for the story to promote African narratives and expose young readers to the continent’s rich diversity.
“I wanted the book to have an African identity. It is my first book, but it has already inspired two additional titles in the series,” she noted.
Describing the publication as Africa’s first children’s book focused on supply chain, Onasoga said the series is aimed at nurturing future innovators and leaders who understand the importance of efficiency, collaboration and problem-solving.
Commenting on the recent kidnappings of children in Oyo and Borno states, she urged government authorities to prioritise the safety and welfare of children.
“Children are the future of every nation. They must be protected, and the government must ensure they are safely reunited with their families. We cannot allow our future to be taken away from us,” she said.
The books in the Semira & The Toy Trailblazers series are available in both English and French on Amazon.
