HP Inc (NYSE: HPQ) in partnership with NABU, a pioneering tech-enabled publisher of multilingual children’s books, have announced the launch of the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria.
This innovative initiative aims to revolutionise literacy, foster a culture of reading and learning among children, and create digital equity for families and educators across the country.
Additionally, the partnership augments HP’s global vision of accelerating digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.
The Country Head for HP Nigeria, Emmanuel Asika, said the NABU HP Creative Lab is part of HP’s global vision to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.
Asika emphasised HP’s commitment to digital equity is driven by the need to take action, as rapid technology developments, such as AI, could drive a bigger wedge in the digital divide.
Recognising the potential of technology to widen the digital divide, Asika emphasised that HP has been a steadfast supporter of NABU’s global mission since 2021.
Asika explained that together, NABU and HP have established creative labs in Rwanda, the Philippines, Miami and now Nigeria.
Asika highlighted that these labs are physical spaces equipped with HP technology, empowering authors and illustrators to produce hundreds of children’s books yearly in native languages.
“With the launch of the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria, HP is furthering NABU’s bold six-year expansion plan across Africa, aiming to reach its goal. The NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria is a vital step in our mission to advance education and literacy. By providing high-quality, culturally relevant resources, we foster a love for reading and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed,” Asika said.
Asika further stated that the HP team is committed to bridging the digital equity gap and empowering communities through technology.
The Chief Executive Officer and Co-Creator of NABU, Isabel Sheinman, explained that NABU focuses on ensuring every child can read and learn through storytelling and technology.
She said the organisation publishes original, engaging stories in mother tongue languages that are accessible via an app, web reader, and print.
According to her, the launch of the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria represents a significant milestone in NABU’s goal to create equal access to literacy for 25 million children by 2030.
Sheinman further expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “We are proud to support Nigerian authors and illustrators in creating bilingual stories in Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba. These stories support children’s reading and foster cultural and linguistic pride. The opening of the NABU HP Creative Lab in Nigeria begins NABU’s expansion into West Africa.”
She also stated that NABU’s approach bridges opportunity gaps for historically excluded children and families by engaging readers through localized storytelling and providing learning support.
Sheinman emphasised that this collaboration with HP is a significant step forward in achieving digital equity across Africa.
She said by empowering children to read in their mother tongue first, NABU and HP enable them to gain confidence in their reading abilities, feel pride in their culture, and inspire further learning and reading development.
“With the NABU HP Creative Lab, HP and NABU are transforming lives through storytelling and digital innovation, moving closer to their shared goal of accelerating digital equity for 150 million people by 2030,” she said.
