When the sun sets across many Nigerian communities, learning often ends with it. For millions of children in underserved areas, darkness is not merely a daily occurrence—it is a barrier to opportunity. Yet, in Ogun State, a quiet but powerful intervention is challenging that reality, proving that sustainable energy can be as transformative as textbooks.

The Light Up Africa Through the Lens of African Rural Children initiative is more than a social project; it is a bold statement about what education can become when innovation, sustainability, and community engagement converge.

Where Education Meets Energy

On 10 December 2025, the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP) officially launched the One Ogun Child, One Solar Reading Lamp programme at the Alaba Lawson Group of Schools in Abeokuta. The event marked a critical milestone in the effort to bridge educational inequality through renewable energy solutions.

At its core, the initiative addresses a fundamental problem: the lack of reliable electricity that restricts learning after daylight hours. By distributing solar-powered reading lamps to students, the project extends learning time, improves academic engagement, and reduces dependence on unsafe or non-renewable energy sources—all while introducing children to climate-smart technology.

“Our goal is simple but profound,” said Chief Dr. Anita Nana Okuribido, Founder and CEO of the Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation (SSGF) and President of the Women in Renewable Energy Association (WIRE-A). “We are empowering children with light—light that illuminates knowledge, creativity, and opportunity.”

A Ceremony with a Message

The flag-off ceremony reflected the collaborative spirit behind the project. Mr. Babatunde Aliyu, Principal of Alaba Lawson Royal College, welcomed guests and students, while Mr. Akinola Lawson, Director of the Alaba Lawson Group of Schools, emphasized the importance of educational infrastructure in nurturing future leaders.

Mr. Emeka Achebe-Okosieme, an executive of SSGF, outlined the renewable energy framework driving the initiative, setting the tone for a programme that blends education with sustainability. Delivering the keynote address, Chief Dr. Okuribido highlighted the urgent need for holistic child development models that prepare young people for a rapidly changing world.

The initiative was formally launched by Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, First Lady of Ogun State.
“By lighting these lamps,” she noted, “we are lighting pathways of knowledge, resilience, and opportunity for every child.”

From Symbol to Solution

A total of 120 solar reading lamps were distributed to students during the event. The presentation was jointly carried out by Olori (Dr.) Tokunbo Gbadebo, Mr. Akinola Lawson, Chief Dr. Okuribido, and Ambassador Kemi Shoyebi, WIRE-A Ogun State Chapter Coordinator.

Beyond distribution, the programme prioritized knowledge transfer. Students participated in a live demonstration on how to use and maintain the lamps, reinforcing the principle that true empowerment lies in ownership and understanding.

“Empowerment without knowledge is incomplete,” Mr. Achebe-Okosieme explained. “When children understand how these tools work, sustainability becomes a shared responsibility.”

Powering Change Through Partnership

What sets Light Up Africa apart is its multi-sector partnership model, uniting education, civil society, corporate innovation, and global development goals.

Key partners include KuCoin, a Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange supporting the project through financial and technological contributions, and the Global CSR Foundation (GCSRF), a U.S.-based nonprofit aligning the initiative with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Together with FEYReP, SSGF, WIRE-A, and the Alaba Lawson Group of Schools, these partners demonstrate how cross-industry collaboration can deliver scalable social impact.

“Our schools provide a veritable platform for students to explore their talents and maximize their potential,” said Mr. Lawson. “By integrating quality education with sustainable technology, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow.”

A Broader Vision for Sustainable Development

While solar lamps are the entry point, the initiative’s ambition extends far beyond lighting classrooms. The project envisions a future where education is intertwined with green skills, environmental responsibility, and economic opportunity.

Planned interventions include solar-powered boreholes, modern sanitation facilities, and certified renewable energy education—initiatives designed to improve hygiene, dignity, and gender equity in schools.

“The lamps are only the beginning,” Chief Dr. Okuribido affirmed. “Our mission is to create learning environments that are safe, sustainable, and empowering—especially for girls.”

Impact That Extends Beyond the Classroom

The ripple effects of the programme are already evident. Students can study after dark, communities are exposed to clean energy solutions, and young minds are introduced to climate-conscious thinking at an early age. For many families, the initiative represents not just educational support, but hope.

“By investing in children today,” Chief Dr. Okuribido emphasized, “we are securing leadership, creativity, and resilience for tomorrow.”

Lighting the Way Forward

With strong government endorsement and growing community support, Light Up Africa Through the Lens of African Rural Children stands as a compelling model for sustainable educational intervention. It demonstrates that when light reaches a child, it does more than brighten a page—it expands possibility.

“This initiative illuminates more than classrooms,” Mr. Akinola Lawson concluded. “It illuminates the future of an entire generation.”