As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Day, The Adunni Foundation has called for a renewed national commitment to basic education, declaring that true independence for the Nigerian child begins with quality learning opportunities.
The Foundation’s Founder, Motunrayo Alaka, articulated the philosophy “Education is Independence” at the launch of the #Edupendent Campaign during the maiden edition of the Basic Education Torchbearers Awards (BETA) in October 2025.
“Political independence gave Nigeria sovereignty as a nation. Education gives its citizens the knowledge, confidence, skills and opportunities to exercise that freedom and participate meaningfully as citizens,” Alaka said. “The emancipation of the mind of the Nigerian child is central to securing the promise of Nigeria’s freedom.”
For the Nigerian child, she stressed, independence must include access to quality basic education, a safe learning environment, the chance to develop potential, and the ability to imagine a future of possibility.
This conviction underpins BETA, a national initiative of The Adunni Foundation established to recognise individuals, institutions and communities whose contributions have advanced basic education in Nigeria. The awards also aim to inspire renewed commitment to the children who will shape the country’s future.
Following its successful maiden edition in 2025, BETA returns in October 2026 with the theme “Carrying the Torch: Reimagining Basic Education for Nigeria’s Future.”
“Every Independence Day invites us to reflect on the Nigeria we inherited, the Nigeria we have and the Nigeria we are building,” Alaka said. “For us, that reflection must include the Nigerian child. What does independence mean to a child who cannot access quality education? What does it mean to a child who is in school but is not learning? And are we giving every child, regardless of background or circumstance, a fair opportunity to fulfil their potential?”
The Foundation acknowledges the significant challenges confronting basic education, including access, poor learning outcomes, inadequate infrastructure, limited teacher capacity, inequality and school safety. At the same time, it recognises the educators, communities, institutions, organisations and individuals working daily to expand opportunities for children.
Through BETA, the Foundation seeks to honour past contributions, celebrate current efforts and galvanise stronger collective action for the future.
The #Edupendent Campaign, launched in 2025, aims to build a broader public movement around the belief that education is fundamental to freedom and national development. The campaign will engage stakeholders to expand access to basic education, reduce the number of out-of-school children, and strengthen accountability for the provision of compulsory basic education for every Nigerian child.
