NABU is a tech-enabled publisher of multilingual books, providing children with high-quality, culturally relevant, bilingual stories. Our framework, based on best practices, fosters children’s reading and language development, ensuring equitable access to educational resources. We train local creators to publish books in languages where they do not exist, ensuring every child has free access to the books they need to learn to read. Our mission is to ensure every child can read and learn through storytelling and technology.
NABU provides its content through the NABU Mobile App (available on Android and iOS), the NABU Web Reader, and printed books distributed through partnerships with schools, community centers, and libraries.
NABU Nigeria: Preserving Culture, Enhancing Literacy
NABU and HP partnered to preserve Nigerian culture, promote literacy and accelerate digital equity. Together, they launched the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria, supporting the creation of dozens of children’s e-books in Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Mother tongue books are proven to preserve culture and improve literacy rates. Free for millions of children worldwide, NABU hopes the collections will inspire a new generation to connect Nigerian culture and read and rise to their full potential.
Founding Story
NABU Nigeria is cofounded through a partnership with WhatsApp and global NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. WhatsApp, the global messaging platform, has always been proud of bringing closer to their cultures and Giannis Antetokounmpo understands the importance of passing on language firsthand. Growing up in Greece, Giannis’ mother sang him Igbo lullabies to keep him connected to his Nigerian roots. With a vision of preserving his own culture for his children, Giannis and his family foundation, CAFF, aim to help families across Nigeria and the Nigerian diaspora share and pass on their culture through NABU’s books.
Expanding Reach with HP
Building on the foundation laid by the WhatsApp and Giannis partnership, NABU has now partnered with HP to launch the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria. The initiative aims to further enhance educational opportunities and provide innovative resources to young readers and educators across the nation. Through the Creative Lab, we will:
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- Digital Library: Provide access to vast collection of NABU storybooks tailored to Nigerian children.
- Educator Training: Offer comprehensive training programs for teachers on interactive read-aloud techniques.
- Community Engagement: Organise reading sessions and events to foster a love for reading within local communities.
- Innovative Learning: Leverage HP’s technology to create engaging and interactive learning experiences for children.
Emeka Asika, HP Country Head for Nigeria has this to say:
At HP, we are committed to bridging the digital equity gap and empowering communities through technology. The NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria is a vital step in our mission to advance education and literacy. By providing high-quality, culturally relevant resources, we foster a love for reading and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. Together with NABU, we are moving closer to our goal of accelerating digital equity for 150 million people by 2030, transforming lives through storytelling and digital innovation.
NABU Nigeria currently offers 40 original Igbo/English books, 20 Hausa/English books, and 20 Yoruba/English books.
Global Partnership with HP
Since 2021, HP has supported NABU’s vision globally. Together, we’ve launched Creative Labs in Rwanda, the Philippines, and Nigeria, and rolled out literacy offerings in Haiti, Rwanda, Kenya, Romania, and the Philippines. Now, we are embarking on a 6-year plan across Africa, aiming to reach 25 million children by 2030.
Impact
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- Reach: Over 7.5 Million Children Worldwide
- Audience Engagement: 2500+ Teachers Trained
- Markets Served: 10 Countries
- 2 Million Books Downloaded & 55,000 Distributed
- 1000+ titles published in 21 languages
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Why NABU?
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- Culturally Relevant Content: Stories reflect the cultural contexts of children, making learning more relatable.
- All platforms are free, ensuring every child can read and learn.
- Comprehensive Coverage: From mobile apps to web readers and printed books, NABU provides multiple formats to suit different needs
- Easy-to-navigate interfaces designed for children and educators alike.
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For more information about NABU in Nigeria, visit their website here.
