UNESCO REF · Network Infrastructure – Institutional Dossier
REF

Eleven Departments.
One Mandate.

UNESCO REF operates through eleven specialised technical Institutional networks of departments advancing the United Nations Global Goals across Nigeria and beyond.

11
Technical Departments
Under unified institutional leadership, each with a distinct mandate.
US$107M
Programmes Delivered
As implementation partner and National Committee member, 2013–2019.
36+FCT
States & Territory
Operational presence across the full Nigerian federal structure.
17
SDGs Aligned
All UN Sustainable Development Goals advanced through the REF 17 Campaign.
Executive Brief · The $107M Record

From E9 exit strategy to one hundred and seven million dollars in international partnerships.

Aggregate Programme ValueUS$107M“Not aspiration. Delivery proven as implementation partner and National Committee member across three landmark initiatives.”

The Read and Earn Literacy Centre, the operational arm of the Literacy Advancement Department, was built with a singular mission: to accelerate literacy development and contribute measurably toward Nigeria’s exit from E9 classification. Created in 2011 as UNESCO REF’s strategic response to Nigeria’s classification among the E9 countries, the nine nations with the world’s highest illiteracy burdens, following the comprehensive multinational high-level stakeholder convening by E9 member states and relevant international bodies.

Between 2013 and 2019 the Centre served as implementation partner and National Committee member in three major international literacy and education initiatives totalling over US$107 million, working alongside UNESCO Headquarters, the World Bank, the Global Partnership for Education, Procter & Gamble, and the Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria.

These were programmes reaching hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, training hundreds of facilitators, and shaping the national frameworks by which literacy is delivered today.

US$6,468,233
Duration  ·  2013 – 2015

Revitalising Adult and Youth Literacy Efforts in Nigeria

The Challenge

Nigeria’s persistent literacy crisis required a coordinated national response involving multiple stakeholders and implementation partners at every level of the federal structure.

UNESCO REF’s Role

The Read and Earn Literacy Centre served as Implementation Partner alongside the Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria, UNESCO Headquarters, and the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO.

Delivered
  • National programme implementation across multiple states
  • Coordination with federal and state-level authorities
  • Capacity-building for literacy facilitators nationwide
  • Framework development for sustainable delivery
  • Integration with Nigeria’s national education systems
PartnersUNESCO Headquarters  ·  Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria  ·  Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO
US$1,000,000
Duration  ·  2014 – 2016

UNESCO – Procter & Gamble Literacy Initiative

The Challenge

Sixty thousand illiterate or poorly educated girls and young women in Rivers State and Abuja required comprehensive literacy and life-skills training delivered at scale.

UNESCO REF’s Role

The Centre was nominated to the National Committee responsible for developing Nigeria’s implementation framework for this three-year initiative.

Delivered
  • Strategic input into the national implementation framework
  • Training programme for 850 facilitators
  • Multi-modal delivery: classroom, ICT, broadcast
  • Quality assurance protocols for implementation
  • Integration of literacy training with life skills
PartnersUNESCO  ·  Procter & Gamble (Always)  ·  60,000 Girls & Young Women  ·  850 Facilitators
US$100,000,000
Duration  ·  2019

Global Partnership for Education – World Bank Nigeria Education Project

The Challenge

Nigeria secured one of the most consequential education grants in its sovereign history: US$100 million from the Global Partnership for Education, administered by the World Bank, to fundamentally strengthen basic education systems at national scale.

UNESCO REF’s Role

UNESCO REF was formally invited to join the National Education Group constituted to govern this landmark programme, and was subsequently appointed to a dedicated Sub-Committee charged with contributing to the development of the workplan for implementation across Nigeria, providing institutional expertise at the strategic planning level of one of the most consequential education investments in the nation’s history.

Delivered
  • National Education Group participation at programme governance level
  • Sub-Committee contributions to the national implementation workplan
  • Strategic counsel on basic education improvement frameworks
  • Technical input on early grade reading and learning outcomes
  • Institutional expertise on inclusion, girls’ education, and marginalised populations
PartnersWorld Bank  ·  Global Partnership for Education  ·  Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)
The Read and Earn Literacy Centre, as the operational arm of the Literacy Advancement Department, demonstrates what UNESCO REF’s institutional networks accomplish when built with purpose and governed with integrity. This is not aspiration, this is delivery proven through serving as implementation partner in UNESCO programmes, as a member of the National Education Group, and as Sub-Committee contributor to the World Bank and GPE national implementation workplan.UNESCO REF  ·  Institutional Record  ·  2011 – 2026

The Complete Timeline

2011 – Present
2011Literacy Centre established as E9 exit strategy
2013Programme 01 begins – US$6.47M UNESCO partnership
2014Programme 02 begins – US$1M UNESCO & P&G
2016Programmes 01 & 02 conclude
2019Programme 03 – US$100M: National Education Group & Sub-Committee, World Bank & GPE
NowContinuing E9 exit mission across all 36 states & FCT
Verified Institutional Record

The Evidence.

Eight markers of institutional standing, verified against UNESCO, World Bank, and Global Partnership for Education frameworks.

UREF · EVD · 2026
VIII Verified Markers
Institutional Record 2011–2026
E·022013 – 2019Aggregate Programme Value
US$107million
International Development ProgrammingDelivered as Implementation Partner & National Education Group Member
UNESCOWorld BankGPEProcter & GambleFederal Ministry of Education, Nigeria
E·012011Literacy Centre Established
E·0360,000+Documented Beneficiaries
E·04850Facilitators Trained
E·0536 +FCTStates Operational Presence
E·0608 yrsTo National Education Group
E·0703Major Programmes Delivered
E·08National Education GroupSub-Committee · Workplan Development · World Bank · GPE · UNESCO
The Read and Earn Literacy Centre demonstrates what UNESCO REF’s institutional networks accomplish when built with purpose and governed with integrity. This is not aspiration: this is delivery proven through serving as implementation partner in UNESCO programmes and as a member of the National Education Group and its Sub-Committee for the World Bank, GPE, and Procter & Gamble initiatives.UNESCO REF · Institutional Record · 2011–2026
UREF · IR · 2026 · §03
Department Directory · The Eleven

Eleven departments.
One institutional mandate.

Select any entry to read its full mandate, operational scope, institutional function, and reporting structure.

Roman Numeral · XIAnno MMXXVIFederation Charter · UNESCO Provisions
Participation Pathways

Mechanisms for engagement,
institutional and community.

The Read & Earn School Network and the Read & Earn Community Network provide structured pathways for educational institutions, community leaders, and citizens to contribute to national development outcomes.

School Network

Educational Institutions
i
Educational ResourcesAccess to UNESCO REF capacity-building initiatives, curriculum-enhancement resources aligned with global educational standards, and educational excellence frameworks.
ii
Recognition PlatformsStudent engagement in UNESCO-aligned competitions and showcases, with outstanding contributions recognised within UNESCO REF’s institutional documentation.
iii
Development PathwaysExposure to career development frameworks, mentorship connecting youth with development professionals, and opportunities to contribute to national sustainable development conversations.

Community Network

Grassroots & Civil Society
i
Technical SupportComprehensive technical assistance for programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and training building local capacity.
ii
Resource AccessPriority access to programmatic resources, educational materials, and eligibility for resource mobilisation support through development partnerships.
iii
Knowledge ExchangeParticipation in national convenings facilitating peer learning, recognition enhancing community credibility, and platforms for community voices to inform national programme design.
Institutional Call

Working for a better tomorrow.
Nigeria, and beyond.

These eleven technical departments constitute UNESCO REF’s operational infrastructure for advancing educational development, youth advancement, and sustainable progress. Whether through the School Network, Community Network, Friends of UNESCO (REF), or direct programme participation, the movement is built by those who join it.

Begin EngagementRevisit Directory