How Omotoyosi Elitefield Educational Foundation (OEEF) Is Building Literacy One Child at a Time

When 12-year-old Rasaq first joined the Omotoyosi Elitefield Educational Foundation (OEEF) program, he had completed his primary school education without learning to read. Like many children in Budo community, he attended classes daily but remained functionally illiterate. He would copy letters from the blackboard without knowing what they meant.

Rasaq's story reflects a harsh reality we confront: children who are physically present in school, yet receive no meaningful education.

Rasaq when he first joined our program

Our work began with a simple but shocking discovery: nearly 8 out of 10 Primary 5 pupils in Ayetoro Budo's public primary school couldn't read a basic sentence. These children weren't out-of-school; they were trapped in classrooms where learning wasn't happening.

OEEF took a radical approach to addressing this crisis. We began with diagnostic tests for every child, which revealed alarming gaps in literacy and numeracy. From there, we created Saturday sessions focused on the building blocks of reading and mathematics.

The results speak for themselves. After 24 months of targeted intervention, Rasaq can now read age-appropriate storybooks aloud with confidence. His transformation mirrors that of his classmates: 60% of our Primary 5 cohort have achieved functional literacy — a dramatic increase from the 11% baseline. In mathematics, 50% now score above the national average.

Rasaq now

These aren't just numbers; they represent children like Rasaq who have discovered the joy of learning.

What makes our approach different? We combine rigorous academic support with strategic school placements to a reputable primary school. While maintaining our Saturday classes, we partner with better-resourced schools that maintain smaller class sizes and provide regular teacher training.

Our journey is far from over. With our oldest learner now in Primary 4, we are developing programs to ensure their successful transition to secondary school. Plans include STEM enrichment activities and digital literacy labs to prepare them for tomorrow's challenges.

The Omotoyosi Elitefield Educational Foundation (OEEF) remains committed to its core belief: every child deserves not just a seat in a classroom, but a real education that unlocks their potential.

Rasaq's story proves that change is possible. From a child who couldn't decipher his own name to one who now reads bedtime stories to his younger siblings, his transformation embodies our mission.

In communities across Nigeria, we are witnessing how access to quality education can break cycles of poverty and create new possibilities.