TEDx

Our Children Takes Center Stage at TEDx Talk in Lagos

Maryam and Emmanuel bravely stood in front of over 100 attendees at TEDx Lagos to speak about the strength of children in society. “People rarely care what I can do now or what impact I can create now, they just feel we are leaders of tomorrow, they often forget we can be leaders of today also,” Maryam continued as the crowd applauded.

For her exceptional academic performance, Maryam got a scholarship to Word of Faith Abuja and is currently in JSS2. Over the years, she has participated in several school competitions in STEM, essay writing, and storytelling. She won the Mainland Authority Merit Award, was a runner up in the Lagos State Merit Award and several other championships.


Emmanuel, one of the best graduating students in his Junior Secondary School (JSS), spoke on the importance of creating an impact. Giving examples of many children making an impact, Emmanuel stated that “every child is like a candle in a dark room, and all they need are people who wouldn’t just see the candle but also the potential of that candle to light up that room.”


With over 30 million out of school children, the Nigerian educational system is in desperate need of a revamp. “Every child like myself and Emmanuel deserve a Nigeria that works for all of us, we deserve a Nigeria where every child can dream and watch that dream come through, we deserve a Nigeria where our right is nurtured, promoted and supported,” Maryam stated, “…we deserve teachers that wouldn’t just teach us about history but would inspire us to make history.”

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References

  1. Global Education Monitoring Report Team (2016). Education for people and planet: creating sustainable futures for all.
  2. Comms, D. (2021). The ripple effects of investing in girls’ education. Plan International Australia.
  3. Comms, D. (2021). The ripple effects of investing in girls’ education. Plan International Australia.
  4. Comms, D. (2021). The ripple effects of investing in girls’ education. Plan International Australia.
  5. Global Education Monitoring Report (2023). 244M children won’t start the new school year.
  6. World Bank. (2019). Ending learning poverty: What will it take?
  7. Fatunmole, M. (2023). Key data on early childhood education in Nigeria. The ICIR- Latest News, Politics, Governance, Elections, Investigation, Factcheck, Covid-19
  8. Enoch, A. (2024) Quality education delivers growth – but Africa’s scorecard remains poor. ISS Africa.
  9. UNESCO. (2022). 244 M children won’t start the new school year. Paris: UNESCO.
  10. Fatunmole, M. (2023). Key data on early childhood education in Nigeria. The ICIR- Latest News, Politics, Governance, Elections, Investigation, Factcheck, Covid-19.
  11. World Bank. (2019). Ending learning poverty: What will it take?. World Bank.
  12. Quality education delivers growth – but Africa’s scorecard remains poor | ISS Africa. (n.d.). ISS Africa.
  13. Heminway, J., & Heminway, J. (2023). Why Becoming Educated is Hard in Sub-Saharan Africa – Especially for Girls – The Water Project. The Water Project.
  14. UNICEF, (2021), Transforming Education in Africa.
  15. World Economic Forum. (2023), How Africa’s youth will drive global growth.

Every sponsorship supports:

  • Construction: Eco-friendly school facilities built with locally sourced, sustainable materials

  • Innovation: Solar power, rainwater collection, biogas, gardens, and internet access.

  • Learning & Support: Scholarships, teachers, health services, and psychosocial care.

  • Sustainability: Training, monitoring, and integration into public systems.

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Library & Innovation Lab

Every Green Academy includes a library, STEM and Innovation lab, giving children access to books, technology, and digital resources. This opens doors to coding, research, and global learning experiences that prepare them for the future.

8

Biogas Systems

Waste from the school is converted into biogas through a clean, closed-loop system. This provides safe cooking energy and powers the backup generator – reducing pollution, improving sanitation, and teaching children about renewable energy in action.

 
7

Full Annual Scholarships

Each Green Academy provides 250+ underserved children with free, high-quality education. Scholarships cover tuition and also books, meals, healthcare, psychosocial support, and skills development, ensuring every child has the tools to thrive.

6

Open-Air Design

Classrooms are designed with circular, open-air structures that maximize natural airflow and light. This reduces heat, lowers energy use, and creates healthier learning environments, without the need for costly air conditioning.

 
5

Rainwater Systems

Green Academies are built with rooftop rainwater collection systems. Rainwater is stored, filtered, and treated to provide safe drinking water for students, teachers, and the wider community-improving health and reducing time spent fetching water.

4

Gardens & Biodiversity

Outdoor gardens and biodiversity spaces make learning hands-on and holistic. Children grow food, study ecosystems, and learn sustainable
agriculture. These green spaces also support nutrition programs, providing fresh produce for students.

3

Satellite Internet

For many communities, Green Academies provide their very first internet connection. Through satellite technology, children gain access to digital learning, global knowledge, and virtual mentorship. It also connects teachers and families to new opportunities and resources.

 
2

Solar Power

Every Green Academy runs fully on clean solar energy. This ensures classrooms, labs, and digital tools stay powered without reliance on
unstable grids or generators. With solar, learning continues seamlessly, even at night or during power cuts.

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Built with sustainably sourced bamboo, reclaimed wood, and locally sourced materials- reducing carbon emissions while providing durable, safe spaces for learning. These materials are low-cost, renewable, and naturally cooling, perfect for Africa’s climate.