Professor Blessing Anyikwa is a leading voice in adult basic and non-formal literacy education in Nigeria. Based at the University of Lagos, she has dedicated her career to advocating for non-formal educational access for the underserved as a fundamental right and a critical tool for social and economic transformation. Her work emphasizes that literacy is not only about the ability to read and write, but also about capacity building and empowerment for sustainability in society.

Professor Anyikwa has consistently championed community-based literacy programmes that go beyond basic skills to address the real barriers people face in accessing education and applying it meaningfully in their daily lives. Her approach is grounded in the belief that adult education should empower people to make informed decisions and navigate the systems that shape their lives. She has collaborated with government agencies, international organizations including UNESCO and UNICEF and non-governmental partners to expand literacy access across Nigeria.

For Enatta 360, Professor Anyikwa is collaborating with Enatta Foundation on the Money Mata Programme and Post Harvest Initiatives where knowledge is key. Money Mata is one of Enatta Foundation’s core programmes, which provides financial literacy training to fisherwomen in coastal communities and teaches them to track income and manage resources with confidence. Our Post Harvest initiative is current, and focuses on sustainable ways of helping fisherwomen improve preservation of their daily harvest by arming them with the right knowledge and resources. This partnership reflects her understanding that literacy encompasses practical life skills, including financial capability and sustainable community development, with a goal to create a pathway to women empowerment.