In a landmark collaboration to improve literacy outcomes in Nigeria, NABU, partnered with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to deliver a three-day national literacy workshop in Abuja. The training brought together administrators, teacher-librarians, and school leaders from 22 Smart Schools across the country, focusing on equipping non-specialist educators with the skills to teach literacy using creative and inclusive approaches.
The goal was clear: to support Nigeria’s national education agenda by closing the country’s literacy gap through evidence-based strategies that empower teachers and engage communities. According to the World Bank, 70 percent of 10-year-olds in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot read and understand a simple story. This workshop directly addressed that challenge by building capacity at the school level and promoting innovative tools that make reading both accessible and enjoyable.
Inside the NABU & UBEC Creative Literacy Workshop
The three-day training brought together administrators from 22 Smart Schools across Nigeria with a single objective: to equip teacher-librarians and school leaders with the tools to nurture literacy development through creative, inclusive strategies even if they are not literacy specialists.
It’s part of a broader national effort to close Nigeria’s literacy gap through evidence-based practices that empower educators and engage communities.
Day 1: Building Literacy Foundations
The first day opened with a compelling overview of the state of basic education in Nigeria, followed by sessions on phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Participants also learned how to assess age-appropriate reading milestones and implement interventions for struggling readers. A highlight of the day was a session on how to teach literacy without a background in language education, a key need identified by many attendees.
“I never thought I could teach reading confidently without formal training. Now I know I can,” one participant shared.
By the end of Day 1, 85% of participants reported a boost in their confidence to teach literacy using NABU’s read-aloud approach and library-based activities.
Day 2: Literacy Through Creativity and Community
Day two focused on multimodal learning using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic strategies to make literacy engaging and fun. NABU facilitators introduced storytelling, art-based activities, and play to support comprehension and vocabulary.
The session titled “Literacy Beyond Books” emphasized the power of environmental print and everyday life as literacy tools. Teachers developed over 20 new activity ideas, including low-cost reading stations and interactive games for their schools.
In the afternoon, educators explored ways to build a culture of reading beyond the classroom through book clubs, reading fairs, and school-wide competitions.
Day 3: Digital Tools and Implementation Planning
The final day featured hands-on sessions with NABU’s digital library, which offers free, leveled storybooks and workbooks in local languages. Participants created custom lesson plans and designed functional reading centers using NABU materials.
In the Practical Application Workshop, teachers drafted detailed literacy plans tailored to their schools.
By the end of the workshop:
- 100% of attendees drafted actionable literacy plans.
- 90% committed to monthly read-aloud sessions involving parents and community members.
Driving Lasting Impact
This workshop is more than an event, it’s a step forward in changing the narrative of education in Nigeria. Through strategic partnership and purposeful content, NABU and UBEC are demonstrating how local leadership and digital innovation can fuel nationwide literacy transformation.
Our evidence-based approach and community-driven implementation are already empowering educators across the country. With initiatives like this, Nigeria’s classrooms are becoming spaces where every child has the chance to thrive as a reader.
Looking Ahead
Literacy is not just a skill, it’s a right. As NABU continues expanding its footprint in Nigeria, we remain committed to making reading accessible, joyful, and empowering for all children. Because when children can read, they can write their own futures.
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THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT
NABU is free for children, families, and teachers, thanks to our generous donors. Your donation can make a big difference:
- $25 monthly subscription for one child: Provide access to the NABU app and hundreds of bilingual books for a child and their family
- $45 monthly subscription for one classroom: Gift NABU to a teacher for use in their classrooms to support student learning
- $1,500 to publish a children's book: Support our professional development initiatives, training local artists to create culturally relevant stories for children in their communities, with translations into 25 languages
- $5,000 to sponsor a country-wide children's radio program:Expand our impact through storytelling radio programs across an entire country