We are deepening partnership on educational innovation- Adedokun-Shittu
By Mustafa Abubakar
The University of Ilorin GLOCALISE–UNESCO Team has said that it would continue to intensify collaboration with the Kwara State Government through a series of strategic advocacy engagements aimed at advancing innovative GLOCALISE education, empowering teachers, and expanding sustainable learning opportunities across the state.
Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin last Wednesday (June 3,2026)in her office, the Principal Researcher and Convener of UNILORIN GLOCALISE, Prof. Nafisat Afolake Adedokun-Shittu, said the engagements formed part of efforts to strengthen global-local educational partnerships and further consolidate ongoing reforms in the education sector.
According to her, the team held three key engagements within the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, a visit to the newly appointed Director of School Services, Mrs Osanupin Bunmi; an advocacy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Rebecca Olanrewaju Bake, and a follow-up strategic engagement with the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Muhammad-Lawal Olohungbebe
Prof. Adedokun-Shittu explained that the visits were aimed at further expatiating on the earlier submitted report on the Igbomina Gown, Town and Crown (GTC) Education Project, 2024 following the GLOCALISE KWARA, 2023 and strengthening institutional partnerships for educational transformation in Kwara State.
She disclosed that the delegation was led by the UNESCO Desk Officer in the Ministry, Mr Taiye Odedeji, while Educational Consultant and UNESCO Adviser, Pastor Kayode Alabi, provided historical context on the establishment and sustainability of the UNESCO Desk Office, and also advocated the revival of Commonwealth engagement to strengthen international educational cooperation.
Presenting the vision of GLOCALISE, Prof. Adedokun-Shittu explained that the initiative promotes the integration of indigenous language, proverbs, and cultural contexts into science education to improve understanding and learner engagement through a glocalisation framework that connects global knowledge with local realities.
She gave examples of culturally grounded science explanations, including linking “lálá tó lọ sókè ilé lò bọ̀” to the Law of Gravity and “ìrómi tí ó jó lórí omi, onílù rẹ̀ bẹ̀ ní ìsàlẹ̀ odò” to Archimedes’ Principle, noting that such approaches make abstract scientific concepts more relatable to learners.
The GLOCALISE Convener further disclosed that the initiative has trained over 500 science teachers across Kwara State since 2018, growing from an initial 100 trainees.
Porf. Adedokun-Shittu added that an additional 100 teachers were trained in 2024 following UNESCO-supported grassroots outreach in Igbomina communities.
She also disclosed that GLOCALISE has been recognised by UNESCO as a pioneering initiative in Africa and has secured a copyright certificate from the Corporate Affairs Commission, affirming its originality and credibility.
Prof. Adedokun-Shittu outlined the three core pillars of the initiative as Curriculum Integration, Community Engagement, and GLOCATECHDUPRENUERSHIP, adding that the team sought stronger collaboration with the Ministry to institutionalise these components across the education system.
She further appealed for partnership with the Education Resource Centre, Tanke, Ilorin, for the production, customisation, and distribution of GLOCALISE instructional tools, as well as support for periodic capacity-building training for teachers across the state.
Among the innovations showcased were the GLOCALISE Projector, scanner, and periscope, which were exhibited at TETFAIR 2024 in Abuja.
