LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Ajala Rasag and Muibat Kehinde Ajala (ARM) Foundation has taken its literacy advocacy beyond the classroom and into the streets of Mushin, Lagos, as it marked the 2026 International Literacy Day with a community Literacy Walk.
The initiative, held on September 10, brought together members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, volunteers and other stakeholders in a community-focused campaign aimed at drawing attention to the importance of literacy, education and lifelong learning.
Led by the Foundation’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. (Mrs.) Muibat Kehinde Ajala, the walk moved through communities across the Mushin axis, where participants interacted with residents and children while distributing books, writing materials and other educational resources to children encountered during the exercise.
Beyond raising awareness, the initiative was designed to bring educational support directly to children and communities where access to learning resources may be limited.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Ajala called on young people to recognise the responsibilities that come with leadership and to use their positions and opportunities to make positive contributions to their communities.
“From the home, we lead. Once you have a responsibility to lead, lead,” she said.
She also urged young people to take their education seriously, describing education as a critical foundation for individual development and societal progress.
According to Dr. Ajala, education is “not a scam but a necessity for every individual.”
She further reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that a child’s socioeconomic background does not determine their opportunity to access quality education.
Through its education and scholarship initiatives, the ARM Foundation provides support to disadvantaged students through scholarships, educational materials, school supplies, healthcare and academic assistance.
The Foundation also stressed that advancing literacy and building an educated society cannot be achieved by one institution alone. It called for collective responsibility among government, individuals, organisations, educational institutions and communities in expanding access to learning opportunities.
The 2026 International Literacy Day theme, “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity: Empowering Communities Through Lifelong Learning,” underscores the importance of continuous learning in empowering individuals, strengthening communities and creating sustainable opportunities.
For the ARM Foundation, the Literacy Walk represents part of a broader commitment to taking education advocacy into communities, supporting vulnerable children and helping create an environment where every child has the opportunity to learn, develop and realise their potential.
The Foundation reaffirmed its determination to continue supporting programmes that expand access to education and keep literacy at the heart of community development.
Literacy today, empowerment tomorrow, a better future for all.
