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Apply Now: African Union Innovating Education in Africa 2026 ($50,000 USD grant)

By9jabook

Apr 6, 2026
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Applications are now open for the 2026 African Union Innovating Education in Africa. Africa’s education and training systems continue to face persistent challenges in access, equity, quality, relevance, and skills alignment, despite notable progress in recent years. An estimated 20% of children aged 6–11 are out of school, increasing to 33% for those aged 12–14, and about 60% of youth aged 15–17 remain excluded from education, with girls disproportionately affected. Additionally, a shortage of qualified teachers, uneven teacher distribution, limited opportunities for continuous professional development, and a growing mismatch between education outcomes and labour market needs undermine learning quality and employability.

By anchoring innovation in these continental frameworks, the Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) 2026 initiative seeks to catalyze education systems that are not only more equitable and effective, but also more adaptive, research-informed, and future-ready. The 2026 IEA Call is therefore aligned with:

  • Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026–2035);
  • Continental TVET Strategy (CTVET 2025–2034);
  • AU Digital Education Strategy (DES);
  • AU Decade of Education and Skills Development (2025–2034);
  • Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2034);
  • AU Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy;
  • Agenda 2063 Aspiration 1 and 6.

In this context, Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) was established in 2018 by the African Union (AU) to identify, promote, and support systemic adoption and replication of transformative innovations across education and training systems in Africa.

Since inception:

  • Over 1,500 education stakeholders engaged;
  • 180 innovations promoted;
  • Up to USD 1 million mobilized to support scaling and validation.
  • In 2026, IEA expands its scope to explicitly support innovation in Basic Education, Higher Education, TVET, Digital Systems, Green Skills, AI and Robotics ecosystems across Africa.

The AU Innovating Education in Africa Call invites innovators to propose practical education innovations with the potential for sustainability, scalability and replication on a wide scale. We are looking to mobilize continental education innovators to rethink solutions that will help address education and skills development challenges in Africa.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Applications will be accepted from citizens of AU Member States leading an organization that meets the following criteria.

  • Successfully implementing an education innovation in one or more AU Member States with verifiable outcomes. An education innovation refers to a product or service being offered by an organization that uses a relatively distinct approach — with respect to the African context— in addressing challenges in the education system.
  • Legally registered and licensed to operate in an AU Member State.
  • Directly responsible for the implementation and management of the innovation, i.e., not acting as an intermediary.
  • Demonstrates potential for integration into public systems and alignment with continental frameworks including CESA 2026–2035, CTVET 2025–2034, and STISA-2034.

Benefits

Benefits for successful applicants
Successful applicants will benefit from:

  • Grants of up to USD 50,000 to strengthen interoperability with public education and TVET systems, while generating evidence of impact.
  • Promotion of innovation to AU Member States, RECs and Development Partners, including publication in the Africa Education & Skills Innovations Handbook 2026.
  • Certificate of Recognition from the AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
  • Capacity building support from partner organizations.
  • Structured engagement opportunities with Member States to inform national policy dialogues on digital transformation, greening of TVET systems, AI governance and robotics integration aligned with CTVET-34 and STISA-2034.
  • Participation in the 2026 Innovating Education in Africa Expo and Ministerial policy Dialogue on CTVET-34 and STISA Alignment.
  • Contribution to the development of the Continental Policy Toolkit on Digital, Greening, AI, and Robotics Integration in TVET and Higher Education.
  • Inclusion in the Brief on AI Readiness in African Education Systems and the IEA 2026 Innovation Catalog.

Application Dealine : 30 April 2026

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Submissions should be made online in English or French at https://tinyurl.com/mr29ffcc with the following information.

  1. A brief statement of the challenge being addressed (100 words).
  2. Description of the innovation, specifically how it functions, the implementation approach, the revenue model, and alignment with CESA, CTVET-34, STISA-2034, and/or AU Continental AI Strategy priorities (500 words).
  3. Report on the performance and outcomes of the innovation (500 words).
  4. Description of how the innovation contributes to digital transformation, greening, AI integration (including ethics), robotics capacity, STI infrastructure, research commercialization, or skills alignment with industry (where applicable).
  5. Documentation of business registration and license of operation.

Note: Only one innovation per organization may be submitted. Past IEA grant recipients are not eligible.

  • Deadline for submissions: 30 April 2026 by 23:00 EAT (GMT+3).
  • Inquiries may be sent to: Mr. Chigozie Emmanuel Okonkwo – Education and Skills Advisor | Email: OkonkwoC@africanunion.org

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

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By 9jabook

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.

May 25, 2026 abi