Jakande Academy Fellows transform learning with Inclusive Digital Hub

Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy have unveiled the EmpowerAbility Hub at Ikeja Senior High School, a Lagos State inclusive secondary school, to advance digital equity and inclusive education in alignment with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ developmental agenda.

The initiative, a capstone project by the Academy’s Team Empower Group, establishes a digitally equipped learning environment designed to empower students of all physical abilities.

At the launch event, Team Lead Teniola Hassan described the hub as a transformative commitment to inclusive learning.

“This initiative speaks directly to the THEMES+ agenda of Lagos State—especially the Education and Technology pillar—and the ‘+’, which stands for inclusion. We are ensuring that no group is left behind,” she said.

Beyond the hub’s installation of interactive boards and projectors in every senior classroom, the group organized a two-day teacher training on inclusive education strategies, introducing tools like speech-to-text apps, hearing loops, and AI-powered captioning platforms.

“We have installed interactive boards and projectors in every senior class and trained teachers on their use. This is just the beginning. With more funding, we hope to expand our reach and deepen our impact,” Hassan added.

Executive Secretary of the Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, praised the fellows’ efforts, noting, “This club will provide mentorship and tools for students to lead with empathy and courage in their schools and communities.”

She announced the launch of the EmpowerAbility Young Leaders Club to nurture compassionate student leaders.

Dr. Muyiwa Gbedegesin, Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, emphasized the programme’s inclusivity, stating, “There is ability in every disability. So no matter who you are, there is going to be an opportunity for you in Lagos State.”

Mrs. Omolade Shonubi, Director of Admin and HR at the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, lauded the project’s alignment with the THEMES+ agenda, saying, “THEMES+ Agenda ensures nobody is left behind. We are happy that LASODA is not left behind in this project.”

The EmpowerAbility Hub and Young Leaders Club support the Sustainable Development Goals and underscore Lagos State’s commitment to equitable education, earning praise from stakeholders for fostering impactful public-private-academic collaboration.