London mayor brings hope to Nigeria's out-of-school children

In a bid to tackle Nigeria’s staggering out-of-school children crisis, London Borough of Southwark Mayor, Mr. Michael Situ, extends a warm welcome to the Nigerian diaspora community in the UK.

The initiative, announced in support of the Ibironke Adeagbo (IA)-Foundation, aims to bring together leaders in business, legislators, philanthropists, and friends of the foundation to address the pressing issue.

Ibironke Adeagbo, CEO of the IA-Foundation, revealed that Mayor Situ’s invitation is a pivotal step to raise awareness about the education crisis in Nigeria.

The event is scheduled to take place at the Southwark Civic Townhall at the iconic London Bridge early next year, boasting a backdrop of the majestic River Thames.

Adeagbo emphasized the importance of the event in galvanizing the Nigerian diaspora community in the UK.

The gathering aims to spotlight the IA-Foundation’s accomplishments, achievements, and discoveries over the years to mobilize resources and drive change in Nigeria’s educational landscape.

“The endeavor is to ensure that the international community plays a critical role in the development of a solid and functional educational system in Nigeria,” explained Adeagbo.

The event is expected to draw representatives from corporate organizations, politicians, philanthropists, members of the UK Parliament, and other influential figures.

Founded in 2019 by Adeagbo, a Nigerian born in England, the IA-Foundation has set an extraordinary goal of addressing the out-of-school issue in Nigeria.

The nation, estimated to have 20.2 million out-of-school children, holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number on the continent, according to a 2022 report from UNESCO.

Undeterred by the challenges, Adeagbo, a chartered accountant, has been using the foundation to shed light on the global scale of the out-of-school crisis in Nigeria. In a recent summit held in Lagos, the foundation brought together notable Nigerians and activists to address the plight of out-of-school youth.

Looking ahead, the IA-Foundation plans a fundraising event in Lagos in March of the coming year. The goal is to raise funds that will help rescue more children from the streets and provide them with educational opportunities.

In the midst of this, President Bola Tinubu has assured the people of Nigeria that his administration is committed to rescuing the nation from its current educational predicament, steering it towards a path of success.

The collaborative efforts of the foundation and the support from Mayor Situ reflect a shared commitment to transforming the future for Nigeria’s children.