The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has sponsored the school fees of 100 indigent pupils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of its activities to mark the 2026 International Literacy Day.
The initiative, which also includes the launch of an essay competition for secondary school students, aims to support disadvantaged learners in the capital. The announcement was made in a joint statement signed by Emeka Macfoy, Capoon of Sahara Deck, Abuja, and Paul Ejiofor.
By addressing the immediate financial barrier of tuition, the association seeks to reduce the number of out-of-school children within the FCT. The scholarship component targets pupils who face the highest risk of dropping out due to economic hardship.
Promoting literacy in the Federal Capital Territory
Beyond the direct payment of school fees, the NAS has introduced an essay competition designed to engage secondary school students. The competition is intended to foster critical thinking and academic interest among teenagers, encouraging them to engage more deeply with written literacy and research skills.
The move comes at a time when many families in the FCT and surrounding areas are grappling with the rising costs of basic education. While the capital is often viewed through the lens of administration and wealth, many satellite towns and indigent communities face significant hurdles in accessing consistent schooling. The intervention by the Sahara Deck seeks to mitigate these local educational gaps.
The literacy gap in Nigeria remains a significant challenge for the national economy. With millions of children out of school nationwide, the responsibility for educational support has increasingly fallen on non-state actors and civil society groups. Organisations like the NAS are filling these gaps by providing direct financial relief to families who cannot meet the costs of classroom attendance.
The Sahara Deck of the NAS has indicated that this programme is part of a broader strategy to encourage academic excellence and social responsibility within the Abuja metropolis. The association has not yet released the specific judging criteria or the prize breakdown for the essay competition, but participants are expected to receive further guidance on submission deadlines in the coming weeks.
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