‘Nigeria is lighting the way for mother tongue literacy in Africa’

Titus Kazungu is Associate Director, Literacy (Kenya), Room to Read that recently facilitated Nigeria Literacy Book Adaptation Project Workshop in Ibadan in partnership with Accessible Publishers Ltd. He spoke with OLUFEMI TIMOTHY OGUNYEJO on what the translation project entailed and how the partners positively responded to create impact

What specific qualities or strengths did Room to Read observe in Accessible Publishers Ltd that affirmed their suitability for this partnership?

RIGHT from the get-go, Accessible Publishers brought that rare combo of rocket-fuel energy and grounded expertise. Their top-notch print quality, savvy curriculum alignment, and far-reaching distribution systems were immediately evident. But what really won us over was their unwavering commitment to the same vision we hold dear—literacy in local languages for all children. That goal wasn’t just a checkbox; it was their driving force too.

How would you assess the level of professionalism, responsiveness, and technical capacity demonstrated throughout the adaptation process?
If excellence had a poster child, it would be Accessible Publishers. They were not only highly professional but incredibly agile—ready to pivot, respond, and deliver even under tight timelines. Their in-house training academy and digital publishing tools meant they kept pace with our global standards effortlessly.

What are its ability to meet milestones—quality control, printing readiness, alignment with technical expectations?
Absolutely stellar with all that we have heard and listened to from our research about them and engagement with other stakeholders and what we have witnessed since the beginning of this exercise. Whether aligning manuscripts, coordinating illustrations, or building print schedules, they hit every deadline with finesse. Their internal quality checks were incredibly robust—ensuring the stories were not just on-point developmentally but visually engaging and print-perfect.

How effectively did Accessible Publishers manage coordination with government bodies, educators, and Room to Read?
They were the ultimate bridge-builders—linking us smoothly with NERDC, SUBEBs, and educators. Their understanding of Nigeria’s educational landscape and ability to bring diverse stakeholders into one collaborative circle was nothing short of masterful.

Titus Kazungu

Were there any challenges, and how did they adapt?
Of course, complexity breeds hiccups—whether it was logistical delays or stakeholder coordination. But Accessible Publishers handled each hiccup like a pro—re-allocating resources, revising timelines, keeping communication lines buzzing. Their “solutions first” spirit was remarkable.

Is this partnership a possible model for future literacy projects?
Without hesitation, yes. The combination of global best practices and localized implementation we saw here is the gold standard. It’s scalable, it’s strategic, and it’s sustainable. It’s exactly how literacy programmes across multilingual countries should be executed.

What was your overall impression of the preparedness and professionalism of the Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo experts?
A delight! These experts were linguistic heavyweights and cultural custodians rolled into one. Academics, writers, trainers—they brought depth, diligence, and authenticity to the table. They weren’t just translators—they were storytellers.

How well did they demonstrate understanding of early-grade reading levels and child-appropriate language?
Impressively well. They balanced linguistic precision with child-friendly readability—simplifying syntax, stripping jargon, and fine-tuning tone so nothing feels “adult-y.” That takes real craft.

Any specific instances of their cultural or linguistic value addition?
Oh yes—like that Yoruba story re-envisioned around an owambe gathering, complete with jollof (rice) and ankara! Or the Hausa version woven with local proverbs and festival imagery. These moments made the text pop with familiarity and warmth.

How would you rate collaboration and openness to feedback during adaptation?
Exemplary. What I saw was true creative partnership—experts engaging with curiosity, revision, and grace. Constructive feedback wasn’t met with defensiveness but with an eagerness to improve. That’s co-creation at its best.

Did any experts stand out for creativity or promoting gender-sensitive content?
Absolutely. A Hausa linguist who twisted idioms for kid-readability, a Yoruba voice championing gender equity, and an Igbo academic who infused emotional intelligence into narratives. Together, they championed stories where girls lead and boys feel—uplifting and inclusive.

Any challenges wih harmonizing linguistic accuracy with developmental appropriateness—and how were they resolved?
One challenge was equalizing reading difficulty across structurally diverse languages. The experts ran cross-language readings to fine-tune, simplify, and balance flow. It was a practical masterclass in linguistic equity.

In future projects, what roles could these experts play?
They are future-proof assets—as trainers, content creators, and literacy advocates. I envision them leading workshops, mentoring new storytellers, and serving as voices for local language promotions in their communities.

Could you describe the synergy between Accessible Publishers and the language experts during workshops?
The vibe was electric! Structured facilitation from the publisher, rich cultural wisdom from experts, and Room to Read guiding the vision—symbiotic collaboration at its best.

Did the exercise spotlight any capacity gaps Room to Read should address in future training?
A few surfaced: deeper modules on early-childhood pedagogy, inclusive storytelling, and digital publishing tools would be helpful. Identifying these is progress—it gives us a roadmap to excellence.

What recommendations would enhance future adaptation workshops?
Begin with deeper orientation, pair illustrators with linguists in joint sessions, and create immediate classroom-testing loops so adjustments can be made on the fly.

Do you see ongoing collaboration post-project?
Absolutely. This is phase one of a long-term mission. I see these stakeholders shaping new literacy materials, teacher development, and policy advocacy together. This partnership is just getting started.

Nigeria is lighting the way for mother tongue literacy in Africa. With partners like Accessible Publishers and language experts driven by purpose—not just profit—we’re building more than books. We’re building futures!