NABU NIGERIA CREATES FREE MOTHER TONGUE CHILDREN’S BOOKS TO INCREASE LITERACY, PRESERVE NIGERIAN CULTURE AND ACCELERATE DIGITAL EQUITY
Thanks to founding partners:
A message from NABU Nigeria Co-Founder, NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo
About NABU Nigeria
NABU Nigeria: Preserving Culture, Enhancing Literacy
NABU & HP are partnering to preserve Nigerian culture, promote literacy and accelerate digital equity. Together we launched the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria, supporting the creation of dozens of children’s e-books in Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Mother tongue books are proven to preserve culture and improve literacy rates. Free for millions of children worldwide, we hope this collection will inspire a new generation to connect to Nigerian culture and read and rise to their full potential.
Our Founding Story
Together with WhatsApp and global NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, we co-founded NABU Nigeria. Whatsapp, the global messaging platform, has always been proud of bringing people closer to their cultures and Giannis Antetokounmpo understands the importance of passing on language firsthand. Growing up in Greece, Giannis’ mother sang him Igbo lullabies to keep him connected to his Nigerian roots. With a vision of preserving his own culture for his children, Giannis and his family foundation, CAFF, aim to help families across Nigeria and the Nigerian diaspora share and pass on their culture through NABU’s books.
Expanding our reach with HP:
Building on the foundation laid by the WhatsApp and Giannis partnership, NABU has now partnered with HP to launch the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria. This initiative aims to further enhance educational opportunities and provide innovative resources to young readers and educators across the nation. Through the Creative Lab, we will:
• Digital Library: Provide access to a vast collection of NABU storybooks tailored to Nigerian children.
• Educator Training: Offer comprehensive training programs for teachers on interactive read-aloud techniques.
• Community Engagement: Organize reading sessions and events to foster a love for reading within local communities.
• Innovative Learning: Leverage HP’s technology to create engaging and interactive learning experiences for children.
Experience the full collection of NABU storybooks and explore the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria. Join us in our mission to empower children through the power of reading.
“At HP, we are committed to bridging the digital equity gap and empowering communities through technology. The NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria is a vital step in our mission to advance education and literacy. By providing high-quality, culturally relevant resources, we foster a love for reading and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. Together with NABU, we are moving closer to our goal of accelerating digital equity for 150 million people by 2030, transforming lives through storytelling and digital innovation.” says Emmanuel Asika, Country Head, Nigeria.
“The opening of the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria marks a significant milestone in NABU’s ambition to create equal access to literacy for 25M children by 2030. We are proud to support Nigerian authors and illustrators in creating bilingual stories in Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba that support children’s reading and foster cultural and linguistic pride. We are honored to continue our longstanding partnership with HP to accelerate digital equity through literacy. The opening of the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria begins NABU’s expansion into West Africa. ” says Isabel Sheinman, CEO and Co-Creator of NABU.
