My passion is about building a brighter future for generations to come - Omikunle
Folawe Omikunle, a Social Impact Leader, is a woman on a special mission to champion access to quality education for every Nigerian child, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through the non-profit organisation she runs, Teach For Nigeria, Omikunle is restoring hope in humanity by tackling educational inequities head-on. Regarded as one of Nigeria’s shining lights in the educational sector, Omikunle shares her insights on the drive behind her passion for education, her efforts towards equality, the challenges facing the Nigerian educational sector, and the future plans for Teach For Nigeria in this exclusive interview. BRIGHT IMOH brings the excerpts:
Can you tell us what ‘Teach For Nigeria’ is all about?
Teach For Nigeria is a non-profit organisation driven by the belief that every child in Nigeria deserves access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our mission is to tackle educational inequity by recruiting and empowering promising young graduates to teach in underserved public schools through a two-year Fellowship. rough this programme, we not only provide children with the education they deserve but also cultivate a new generation of leaders committed to driving long-term change in the educational landscape of Nigeria.
e most powerful thing we’ve seen is that the young people who join Teach For Nigeria thinking, is is just going to be two years. And those two years are really important. But it turns out, it’s about those two years plus every year a er the two years, and these leaders go on to really help lead the changes we need to see. In fact, there are studies that look at what’s di erent about the people who join the fellowship program; we’re seeing a significant change in their career trajectories. ey come in thinking it is just two years, and really, they never leave the work. More than 70 percent stay full time in education, for a long term. And many others go into policy or related elds like public health, legal services, technology and many more.
What’s the drive behind your passion for equality in the Nigerian educational sector?
My passion for equality in the Nigerian educational sector is deeply rooted in my personal journey and profound belief in the transformative power of education. Coming from a background where neither of my parents had access to university education, I was fortunate to receive a quality education thanks to their sacrifices and values. However, as I navigated through my personal and professional life, I witnessed rsthand the stark inequalities and challenges plaguing our educational system. Driven by a desire to serve and solve societal problems, I embarked on a quest to address these issues.
roughout my career, I’ve been haunted by one question: How can we reach more children faster and provide them with the education and opportunities they deserve? This burning question fueled my passion and commitment to making a di erence through education. I’ve seen the remarkable impact of education on individuals’ lives. From witnessing a struggling student transform into the top performer in their class to observing an entire family being li ed out of poverty as a result of the profound impact quality education had on a single member of the family,
these experiences have solidi ed my belief in the power of education to uplift and empower. Through my journey, I’ve realised that education holds the key to unlocking the potential of individuals and driving societal progress. It’s not just about imparting knowledge but about instilling values, nurturing talent, and fostering critical thinking skills that enable individuals to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society. My passion for equality in education is not just about leveling the playing eld; it’s about creating a world where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to fulfill their potential and pursue their dreams. It’s about breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and building a brighter future for generations to come. This is what fuels me and drives me to continue my mission of transforming the educational landscape in Nigeria.
What are the major challenges you’ve encountered thus far?
One of the major challenges I’ve encountered is the entrenched mindset around addressing educational inequities. Many stakeholders believe there is a quick x or a one-size- tsall solution to these complex issues. However, addressing educational inequity requires a multifaceted approach involving collaboration between various actors, including educators, policymakers, community members, parents, students, local leaders, government o cials, corporate partners and many more. If we’re going to really get our children on a path to where we’re all trying to get them to then we have to work collaboratively towards a shared vision, at di erent levels of the society and not just within the school system.
As a stakeholder, how would you describe the Nigerian educational sector compared to other developed nations in terms of standards and up to date curriculum?
Despite Nigeria being the giant of Africa, our educational sector still faces signi cant challenges in setting adequate standards, curricula, and investing adequate resources that align with the growing needs of our society. Our current system was established decades ago, and while it served its purpose at the time, it no longer meets the demands of a rapidly changing world.
This gap becomes more evident when comparing our education system to those of developed nations, which boast more advanced infrastructure and resources. As a result, the majority of our students o en graduate without the necessary skills, knowledge and mindsets needed to succeed or compete in today’s globalized economy, leading to unemployability and lack of preparedness for the workforce.
What do you think is the way forward to the challenges in our educational sector?
e way forward in addressing the challenges in our educational sector lies in a fundamental shi in our approach. It’s important, especially for the most marginalised children, but indeed for all children, that we reevaluate the educational outcomes we’re striving for. True equity and preparedness for the evolving world demand a holistic overhaul and transformation of our education system.
We must focus on cultivating a new generation of citizens equipped not only with academic excellence but also with essential competencies, a strong sense of agency, heightened awareness, and socioemotional skills that are vital for navigating and thriving in a dynamic and interconnected world. Ultimately, the future of our society hinges on our ability to nurture and empower today’s children as leaders who can navigate a changing world and address its most pressing challenges. It’s through this transformative approach to education that we can pave the way for a brighter, more equitable, and prosperous future for all. If we’re not growing today’s children as leaders to navigate a changing world and solve these increasingly complex problems—then there’s no hope.
You were the executive secretary of the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria, APEN. Can you shed more light on what APEN is all about and your role as the executive secretary of the association?
As the pioneer Executive Secretary of the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN), my role revolved around advancing the mission of promoting quality education for all children in Nigeria. This entailed spearheading e orts to expand APEN’S network through driving membership sign-ups and strategic planning of professional development initiatives, workshops, and conferences tailored to enhance educational standards among private schools. At APEN, our focus was on fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among private school educators to collectively elevate the quality of education across the country. This involved facilitating platforms for educators to exchange ideas, best practices, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. While my tenure at APEN was almost a decade ago, I am con dent that the organisation’s objectives have evolved and expanded to address the dynamic landscape of private education in Nigeria. As the educational sector continues to evolve, APEN remains dedicated to its mission of ensuring qualitative education for all.
As CEO of Teach For Nigeria, how have you been able to generate funds to execute your goals?
As an NGO, funding is crucial to executing our goals at Teach For Nigeria. We rely on donations from corporations, foundations, individuals, and government agencies to sustain and expand our programs. My role as CEO involves engaging with potential donors, building partnerships, and mobilizing resources to support our mission of educational equity.
You’ve received many honours in recognition of your contributions to the growth of the Nigerian educational sector. Which of the numerous honours do you cherish the most?
While I am grateful for all the honors and recognition received, what I cherish the most is the impact we have made in the communities we serve. Seeing the tangible improvements in educational opportunities for children in underserved communities is the most rewarding form of acknowledgment for me. Seeing that the opportunities that children in all the communities we’ve worked in are so much greater today than they were when I got started nine years ago is the most rewarding form of acknowledgment for me. Children are still facing extreme, urgent inequities and challenges, but collectively, along with our many, many allies, Teach For Nigeria is making progress and it’s very motivating to see that.
What are your plans for Teach For Nigeria in 2024?
In 2024, Teach For Nigeria is embarking on an ambitious journey towards a decentralized network model known as TFNX. is transition will revolutionize our approach, enabling us to expand our reach to even more communities across Nigeria. By implementing TFNX, we seek to replicate and contextualise our programme across various states in the country through local leaders. Our primary objective remains unchanged; to ensure that all children in Nigeria have access to an excellent education. We aim to make a greater impact on the lives of students and communities that need us the most across Nigeria.
rough TFNX, we aim to amplify our e orts and maximize our e ectiveness in addressing educational inequity, ultimately fostering positive change at the grassroots level.
One of the major challenges I’ve encountered is the entrenched mindset around addressing educational inequities. Many stakeholders believe there is a quick fix or a one-size-fitsall solution to these complex issue
Finally, how would you describe yourself in three words?