Adunni Foundation: Emancipation of Nigerian child’s minds central to national freedom

As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Day, The Adunni Foundation has called for renewed national commitment to basic education, declaring that true independence must include quality education and opportunities for every Nigerian child.

The Foundation, founded by Motunrayo Alaka, said education provides citizens with the knowledge, confidence, skills and opportunities needed to exercise their freedom and participate meaningfully in national development.

The call is anchored on the Foundation’s philosophy that “Education is Independence,” articulated by Alaka during the launch of the #Edupendent Campaign at the maiden edition of the Basic Education Torchbearers Awards (BETA) in October 2025.

According to the Foundation, while political independence gave Nigeria sovereignty as a nation, education empowers citizens to understand and exercise the opportunities that come with that freedom.

“For the Nigerian child, therefore, independence must include the opportunity to access quality basic education, learn, be safe, develop their potential and imagine a future of possibility,” the Foundation stated.
Alaka said the emancipation of the mind of the Nigerian child was central to securing the promise of Nigeria’s freedom.

“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?” she asked.

The Foundation said the questions were central to its decision to establish BETA, a national initiative created to recognise individuals, institutions and communities whose contributions have advanced basic education in Nigeria.

Following its maiden edition in 2025, the Basic Education Torchbearers Awards will return in October 2026 under the theme, “Carrying the Torch: Reimagining Basic Education for Nigeria’s Future.”

Alaka said the annual Independence anniversary offered Nigerians an opportunity to reflect not only on the country’s past and present but also on the kind of nation being built for future generations.

“Every Independence Day invites us to reflect on the Nigeria we inherited, the Nigeria we have and the Nigeria we are building,” she said.

“For us, that reflection must include the Nigerian child.”

The Foundation identified several challenges confronting Nigeria’s basic education sector, including limited access, poor learning outcomes, inadequate infrastructure, teacher capacity, inequality and school safety.

It, however, acknowledged the contributions of educators, communities, institutions, organisations and individuals who continue to work to improve educational opportunities for Nigerian children.

According to the Foundation, BETA is designed to bring these realities together by honouring the work that has brought the country this far, recognising those advancing basic education today and inspiring a stronger collective commitment to the future.

The Foundation also said its #Edupendent Campaign, launched in 2025, was designed to build a broader public movement around the belief that education is fundamental to freedom and national development.

The campaign is expected to work with relevant stakeholders to promote greater access to basic education, support efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children and strengthen accountability for the provision of compulsory basic education for every Nigerian child.

The 2026 edition of the Basic Education Torchbearers Awards is scheduled to hold in October 2026 in Lagos.