Access Holdings, a leading financial services group, has called for substantial improvements in education across Africa, emphasising the importance of preparing future generations for the challenges of the 21st century.
This appeal was made in a statement released on Sunday to mark this year’s Africa Day, celebrated annually on May 25.
Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) on May 25, 1963.
This year’s theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa,” underscores the pressing need for educational reform.
In its statement, Access Holdings highlighted the continent’s diversity and the profound educational challenges it faces. “Africa is a vast and complex continent of over 1.2 billion people speaking more than 3,000 languages across 54 countries.
Despite shared challenges, each nation contributes uniquely to the continent’s rich cultural and historical mosaic,” the statement noted.
The group drew attention to alarming statistics from UNESCO and the African Union, which reveal that over a quarter of school-age children in Africa were out of school in 2023, and 90 percent of children were unable to read or write by age ten.
“This stark reality underscores the need for urgent educational reforms to equip future generations,” the statement read.
In line with its commitment to education, Access Holdings announced it would host the Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament starting from Children’s Day on Monday in Kaduna.
This event, which will conclude at the Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club in June, will involve over 150 school pupils and their teachers in a day of sports, art activities, and child welfare advocacy, with messages like “Stop Child Abuse” and “Childhood Isn’t Meant to Be a Nightmare.”
“As the largest charity polo tournament in Africa, this event highlights Access Bank’s dedication to supporting underprivileged children,” the statement added.
Over the past seven years, the bank has donated over N700 million towards building schools and providing social amenities for surrounding communities.
