MTN Nigeria’s Digital Empowerment Initiative: Bridging the Educational Divide in Borno State
In a commendable display of corporate social responsibility, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has donated 750 digital tablets to 15 secondary schools across Borno State. This generous contribution underscores MTN’s unwavering commitment to fostering education, promoting innovation, and creating opportunities for every child, regardless of their location. The distribution, spearheaded by MTN’s Acting Managing Director covering Borno, Yobe, and Gombe states, Tijanni Salihu, aims to empower students with essential digital literacy skills, equipping them to thrive in the increasingly digital world. This initiative reflects a larger national digital literacy agenda championed by Vice President Kashim Shettima and supported by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The symbolic handover ceremony held in Maiduguri, the state capital, marked a significant milestone in Borno State’s educational landscape. Each of the 15 selected schools received 50 tablets, ensuring equitable distribution and maximizing the impact of this digital intervention. The selection process, entrusted to the state government, prioritized transparency and aimed to achieve equitable representation across all 27 local government areas within the state. By involving the state government in this crucial decision-making process, MTN ensured that the tablets reached the schools most in need, further solidifying the collaborative spirit of this initiative.
Salihu emphasized that the tablets are not mere devices; they are catalysts designed to ignite curiosity, promote innovative learning approaches, and open up a world of digital opportunities for students. He encouraged students to harness the power of these devices to pursue their dreams and explore the vast landscape of digital resources. This message resonates deeply with MTN’s core belief that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves a modern connected life. The tablets serve as a bridge connecting these students to a world of information and possibilities, enabling them to compete in the global economy.
The Borno State Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, expressed his profound gratitude for MTN Foundation’s generous donation. He highlighted the perfect alignment of this initiative with the state’s 10-year strategic plan, which recognizes computer literacy as a cornerstone of its educational objectives. Wakilbe emphasized that equipping students with the necessary digital skills is paramount to their success in today’s competitive global landscape. The tablets, he affirmed, will play a pivotal role in advancing this crucial objective, empowering students with the skills needed to navigate the digital age.
This initiative serves as a testament to the transformative power of public-private partnerships in addressing critical societal challenges. By working together, MTN Nigeria and the Borno State government are creating a brighter future for the next generation. These 750 tablets represent not just digital devices but seeds of hope and opportunity, planted in the fertile ground of Borno State’s educational system. This collaborative effort showcases the potential of collective action in bridging the educational divide and creating a more digitally inclusive society.
The impact of this donation extends far beyond the immediate recipients. By empowering students with digital literacy skills, MTN Nigeria is investing in the future workforce of Borno State and Nigeria as a whole. This initiative has the potential to create a ripple effect, inspiring other organizations to contribute to the development of education and digital literacy across the country. It sets a powerful precedent for corporate social responsibility, showcasing how businesses can play a vital role in uplifting communities and empowering individuals through strategic partnerships and targeted investments in education.
