“One Dictionary Per Child”: New Literacy Drive Targets Lagos Pupils With a Simple Tool and a Big Vision
By Emmanuel Daniji
A quiet but powerful movement is taking shape across Lagos State—one that does not rely on expensive gadgets or flashy interventions, but on a timeless tool that has shaped generations: the dictionary.
This week, the TOS Educational Initiative unveiled its ambitious literacy campaign titled “One Dictionary Per Child,” a project designed to place a personal dictionary in the hands of every schoolchild across all 20 Local Government Areas and, eventually, the 37 LCDAs.
For Taiwo Ololade Salvador, the convener of the initiative, the idea did not emerge from theory, but from years of closely observing how students struggle to express themselves during educational programmes. She explained that many pupils hesitate to participate—not because they lack intelligence—but because they simply cannot break down unfamiliar words.
The dictionary, she said, remains the simplest and most reliable bridge between confusion and clarity.
Salvador also pointed out that the lack of digital access is a serious barrier for children in underserved communities.
Although many assume every child can learn through smartphones, the reality is far different: frequent theft, lack of electricity, the high cost of data, and the inability of some parents to afford Android devices limit digital learning for thousands of Lagos pupils.
A physical dictionary, on the other hand, requires no battery, data, or updates.
It can be tucked into a pocket, carried anywhere, and used without fear.
While acknowledging that the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Education continue to expand digital learning tools in schools, Salvador stressed that technology cannot replace the dependability of printed dictionaries. That, she insists, is why the project is not a ceremonial gesture, but a long-term investment in the intellectual growth of Lagos children.
To expand its reach, the initiative is calling on senators, House of Representatives members, state lawmakers, council chairmen, community leaders and even private citizens to partner with them. The message is simple: building literate children is a collective responsibility.
This call to collaboration resonated strongly among the stakeholders who attended the launch.
Chief Tunde Fanimokun, represented by Mr. Francis, praised the project as both timely and essential, stressing that a child must understand the words they speak before they can fully engage with the world.
A dictionary, he said, remains one of the most effective tools for building vocabulary and confidence.
From the teaching community came a glowing endorsement by Comrade Alaba Israel of the APC Progressive Teachers Congress, who described the effort as “the first of its kind” in his decades in the profession. He said the impact would extend far beyond the classroom, empowering children not only in the present but in the future they are steadily building.
Parents, too, voiced their support. Mr. Wasiu Owoyemi, Chairman of the Central Parents Forum, emphasized that every child should learn at least one new word daily, a habit only possible with access to a dictionary. He urged parents to embrace the initiative as a tool for embedding reading culture and self-improvement at home.
Mrs. Alli Balogun, speaking passionately to mothers and caregivers, encouraged them to guide their children—not only academically but morally. She appealed to the community to support Salvador so the initiative can reach even more families and schools. Mrs. Olayinka echoed these sentiments, raising concerns about the rising involvement of youths in unhealthy behaviours.
She urged parents to monitor their children closely and promised personal support, adding that she would donate proceeds from her farm produce at the next gathering to help fund more dictionaries.
Representative of the Eti-Osa Local Government Chairman, Mrs. Mojisola Olemoh, brought a critical perspective to the conversation. In an age where children rely heavily on the internet, she warned that online searches often expose them to inappropriate content. A physical dictionary, she said, offers a safe, focused, and distraction-free way for children to learn.
As the event wrapped up, one message echoed loudly across the hall: improving literacy is a shared responsibility. Parents, teachers, government leaders, artisans, market associations, transport unions, and community groups all have a part to play. And sometimes, changing a child’s life begins with something as simple as a book they can call their own.
With “One Dictionary Per Child,” TOS Educational Initiative hopes to ensure that every child—regardless of background, neighbourhood, or financial situation—has access to the foundational tool they need to communicate confidently and grow academically.
In the vision of the organisers, each dictionary placed in a child’s hand is not just a book, but a seed: a seed for confidence, curiosity, and leadership.
And from these seeds, the next generation of Lagos thinkers, writers, inventors, and leaders may very well begin.
