Global cloud communications leader Infobip, which has been operating in Nigeria for over 12 years, has announced a strategic community initiative through its Nigerian regional team. In partnership with the Whitefield Foundation, the project aims to accelerate educational outcomes for students in Lagos.
The project delivered over 650 specialised textbooks and essential library infrastructure to Wesley Girls Secondary School and Ladilak Institute Primary School, representing the latest milestone in Infobip’s long-term commitment to supporting Nigeria’s educational landscape and local communities.
The initiative builds on Infobip’s broader engagement in Nigeria, where the company has previously worked with local businesses to scale and serve their customers more effectively. This project moves beyond traditional donation models by focusing on sustainable infrastructure.
In addition to the textbooks, Infobip invested in new library shelving and the restoration of existing units to create high-functioning learning environments. To ensure the longevity of the investment, the Infobip team committed to ongoing training sessions for school staff, focusing on modern library management and resource optimisation.
Addressing the educational gap
The urgency of this intervention is underscored by recent data from UNICEF, which identifies 18.3 million Nigerian children as currently out of school, the highest figure globally. Furthermore, 74% of children aged 7-14 in classrooms lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills. By providing direct access to quality learning materials, Infobip is bridging this “learning poverty” gap as part of its sustained social and economic contribution to the country.
“At Infobip, we believe that communication is the foundation of progress, and education is the ultimate form of communication,” said Isaac Akanni, speaking on behalf of Infobip Nigeria. “This initiative is about more than just resources; it is about catalysing the next generation. We are committed to providing the tools and the inspiration that will empower these students to navigate and lead in an increasingly digital world.”
Empowering students through career mentorship
To complement the physical infrastructure, the handover ceremony featured a career mentorship session. Final-year and graduate students from the University of Lagos and Babcock University, including Deborah Ayinla, Tobi Lateef, and Inioluwa Olukuade, shared insights on the transformative power of quality education, aligning with Infobip’s vision of supporting local talent and fostering professional excellence from the ground up.
Representing the beneficiary schools, Mrs. Jegede, Principal of Wesley Girls Secondary School, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership:
“A library is the intellectual heart of a school, and Infobip has breathed new life into ours. This infrastructure does not just provide books; it provides our students with a structured environment to think, research, and excel. Infobip’s commitment to the Nigerian community and its education sector is evident through this partnership, which significantly supports our mission to deliver world-class education despite local challenges.”
Dr. Funmi Johnson, Executive Director of Whitefield Foundation, noted that the project is a testament to the power of public-private synergy in reducing poverty through “economically viable skills and quality education.”