Academic Skills
Academic reading and writing, research skills, and using AI responsibly for academic research.
Literacy Development Foundation · Since 2020
Literacy for Global Peace.
We work towards a world where every African child can use their literacy potential for personal success and global peace — from first books and community reading to digital skills, scholarships and future-ready leadership.
Kà YorùbáGụọ IgboKaranta HausaSoma Kiswahili— to read
Five pillars
One journey, from a child's first book to a young leader's first role
Our work is organised under five strategic pillars. Each one connects literacy with opportunity.
Reported impact
Small numbers, real people, growing reach
~100Campaign participantsChild Literacy Campaign · 2020 · Nigeria + other African countries
~40Tech Lab FellowsTwo four-month cohorts · Idata-Ilagbo Community
11 / 16FLP graduatesFuture-Ready Leaders Program · 2026 · 16 weeks
4Literacy Drivers awardeesLiteracy Drivers Award · 2025 · awards + cash prizes
Pending Figures marked pending are reported by LDF and awaiting verification.
Idata-Ilagbo Community Tech LabIbeju-Lekki, Lagos State · from one laptop to about four by the end of 2023See the project →
How our youth work grew
A lab, a fellowship, then a leadership programme
It started with a single laptop in a community senior high school. The Community Tech Lab became a place to learn digital skills close to home.
The Community Tech Lab Fellowship followed: two four-month cohorts in digital literacy and life skills for about 40 students.
In 2026 we took the next step online with the Future-Ready Leaders Program: 16 weeks and 13 modules of academic skills, leadership, AI literacy and mentoring. Each stage is its own programme; together they show how our approach has developed.
Help a child read today, and lead tomorrow
Partner with us, volunteer as a facilitator, or support our learners' access to books, devices and education.
About LDF
Rooted in Africa, reading for the world
LDF began in 2020 as Literacy for African Child Education and Development, then known as "LACED Africa". The organisation was officially registered as the Literacy Development Foundation in December 2024.
Vision
A world where every African child will be able to leverage their literacy potential for personal success and global peace.
Why literacy, why peace
Reading opens every other door: school, work, health, civic life. A child who can read can question, understand and take part. Children who grow up able to understand one another's words and stories become adults who can build peace.
That is why our work runs from early literacy through secondary and higher education, digital skills, teacher development and research. Each stage builds on the one before.
Our journey
From "LACED Africa" to LDF
- 2020The work begins as "LACED Africa"
Literacy for African Child Education and Development runs a 10-day virtual Child Literacy Campaign with almost 100 participants across Nigeria and other African countries. See the campaign →
- 2021–22Skill2Rual
Skills programmes with Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative, including Idata-Ilagbo Community Senior High School, Ibeju-Lekki. See Skill2Rual →
- 2023Community Tech Lab and teacher training
The Idata-Ilagbo Community Tech Lab grows from one laptop to about four. LDF also delivers its first teacher training. See the Tech Lab →
- Dec 2024Registered as Literacy Development Foundation
The organisation is officially registered under its current name.
- 2025Recognition and access
The Literacy Drivers Award recognises four awardees, and the LDF EdFund / Scholarship Project begins supporting learners. See EdFund and the award →
- 2026Future-Ready Leaders Program
A 16-week virtual programme with 13 modules: 16 student leaders from 10 higher institutions start and 11 graduate, guided by seven facilitators. See the programme →
- 8 Sep 2026Anniversary and International Literacy Day
LDF celebrates its anniversary alongside International Literacy Day, under the theme “Literacy for people, the planet, and prosperity.”
- 21 Sep 2026EdFund scholarships with Rotaract District 9112
LDF and Rotaract District 9112 present ₦300,000 to School on the Street Initiative in Iyana Ilogbo, Ogun State, supporting its free elementary programme. See the scholarship round →
What guides us
Our commitments
African-centred
Our programmes start from African languages, literature, heritage and the realities of the communities we serve.
Honest about impact
Every number we publish has a source, a time period and an owner. We say clearly what is planned and what is done.
Safe and dignified
We protect children's privacy and dignity. We never publish identifiable details without informed consent.
To confirm Governance, team profiles and registration details will be added once approved.
Our programmes
Five pillars of work
Browse our projects by pillar or status. Open any project for dates, places, partners and reported outcomes.
Status
Loading projects…
Pillar 2 · Future-Ready Leadership
Future-Ready Leaders Program
A 16-week virtual programme in student leadership, mentoring, and digital and AI literacy for first- and second-year undergraduates across Nigeria.
16 weeks13 modules, delivered online in 2026
16Student leaders from 10 higher institutions
11Graduates in the Class of 2026
7Facilitators across specialist areas
Course tracks
Three tracks, one leader
Leadership Development
Servant leadership, leading teams through change, and the habits of leaders who serve their communities.
AI Literacy and Future Skills
Understanding AI, design and programming fundamentals, and the skills that future work will need.
Facilitators · 2026
Learning from practitioners
Seven facilitators led the 2026 cohort across academic skills, leadership and AI literacy.
Abdulquadri Odeshina
Behavioural Designer, Cowry (UK) · Chevening Alumnus
Academic Skills · Using AI for Academic Research
Oreva Brown
AI Literacy Educator · TFN Alumna
AI Literacy · Talk to AI Like a Pro: The Beginner’s Guide to Prompting
Dorcas I. Idjakpa
Head of Programs, Rehoboth Youth Empowerment and Leadership Development Initiative · TFN Alumna
Leadership Skills Development · Personal & Servant Leadership
Rianat A. Ayinla
E-commerce Digital Marketing Manager · Content Strategist
AI Literacy · AI for Graphic Design & Video Creation
Afeez Saka
Director, Learning & Development (LDF) · Chevening Alumnus
Kafilat Olanike O.A
Founder, KOA Educational Foundation
Leadership Skills Development · Leading Change
Fatimah Muhammad
Entrepreneur · Program Manager (LDF)
Class of 2026
Celebrating our graduates
16 student leaders from 10 higher institutions joined the 2026 cohort, and 11 graduated.
Participant spotlights
1st place
Ayegbajeje Mujaheed
For outstanding curiosity, active engagement, responsiveness to tasks, and effective participation.
2nd place
Victory Ufoma
For consistency, creativity, reliable attendance, and meaningful engagement.
3rd place
Omowumi Oluwafunbi
For leadership and strong character.
Graduates
- Mujaheed
- Balikis
- Emmanuel
- Fathia
- Hikhmah
- Qudus
- Oluwafisayo
- Omowumi
- Paul
- Oluwapelumi
- Victory
Participants came from TASFUED, LASU, BOUESTI, UNIBEN, OAU, Grand-Plus College, Kwara Poly, OOU, UNILORIN and FUMMSA.
How it runs
Online, project-based, mentored
Sessions run on WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams, so students can take part from wherever they study. Each track combines short teaching modules with project-based learning and mentorship.
Academic & research skillsPersonal & servant leadershipAI literacyLeading changeMentorship
Where it came from
FLP builds on what we learned running the Idata-Ilagbo Community Tech Lab and its Fellowship. Those were in-person, community-based programmes. FLP is a separate, virtual programme that reaches students wherever they study.
Next cohort: dates not yet announced. Contact us to hear when applications open.
Register interest in the next cohort
Planned Hybrid delivery is planned for future cohorts.
Scholarships & opportunities
Opportunities to learn and grow
Scholarships, programme places and calls for facilitators. Each listing shows who can apply, key dates and how to apply.
Loading opportunities…
Nothing that fits you yet? Tell us what you're looking for or join the newsletter in the footer to hear when new opportunities open.
Get involved
Every reader needs a community
Partner, volunteer, facilitate or give. Tell us how you'd like to help and we'll find the right place for you.
Partner with us
Schools, NGOs, universities and companies: co-deliver programmes, host a tech lab, or fund a cohort.
Volunteer or facilitate
Share your skills in literacy, AI, design, programming, leadership or academic writing with our learners.
Donate books and devices
Books, headphones and laptops go directly to community learning spaces and the learners who use them.
Give financially
Online giving opens once our payment route is approved. Until then, contact us to discuss how to support learners.
Opening soonContact us about giving →
Contact
Talk to LDF
Questions about a programme, a partnership or support for a learner? Send us a message.
Policies
How we keep people safe
Our commitments on privacy, safeguarding and accessibility. Full policies will be published once approved.
Safeguarding Draft
We do not publish children's full names, school details, sensitive stories or identifiable images without informed parent or guardian consent and, where appropriate, the child's own assent.
Every image and story has a consent record. Families can withdraw consent at any time.
Privacy notice Draft
We collect only the details we need to respond to you. We don't sell or share your information. We keep enquiries only as long as we need them, and you can ask us to see or delete your data by emailing literacydevelopmentfoundation@gmail.com.
We will review our obligations under UK GDPR and Nigerian data protection law where they apply.
Accessibility Draft
We aim to meet WCAG 2.2 AA. This site supports keyboard navigation, visible focus, screen readers, zoom and reduced motion. If something doesn't work for you, please tell us.
Donations and refunds Planned
Published when online giving opens.