Northern Nigeria continues to face persistent educational disruptions driven by insecurity, displacement, poverty, and limited access to qualified teachers. As humanitarian actors work to restore learning for crisis-affected children, technology-enabled solutions offer an opportunity to bridge persistent gaps. One promising tool is uLesson, an African edtech platform with strong potential to support Education in Emergencies (EiE) programming across the region.
Below, Dataville Research outlines key ways uLesson can strengthen access, continuity, and quality of learning for vulnerable learners in Northern Nigeria.
1. Expanding Access Through Offline Learning
EiE environments are often characterised by poor connectivity. uLesson’s offline learning features—which allow students to download lessons and learn without internet—make it suitable for:
- IDP camps
- Rural host communities
- Areas affected by network shutdowns or instability
This ensures that children can continue learning even when connectivity is unreliable.
2. Providing Consistent, Curriculum-Aligned Instruction
Frequent interruptions and teacher shortages are major challenges in Northern Nigeria. uLesson can help by offering standardised, curriculum-aligned video lessons developed by subject experts. This guarantees continuity of learning even when schools are closed or teachers are unavailable.
3. Supporting Flexible Learning Pathways
Emergencies create irregular school attendance patterns. uLesson enables self-paced learning, allowing crisis-affected children to study:
- In temporary shelters
- In community learning hubs
- At home or in safe spaces during security incidents
This flexibility makes it easier for learners to keep progressing academically.
4. Helping Children Catch Up on Lost Learning
Learning disruptions have created significant gaps, especially in foundational subjects. uLesson’s structured content and practice assessments can support catch-up and remedial education, enabling learners to rebuild basic literacy and numeracy skills.
5. Integrating Easily into EiE Programmes
uLesson can complement the efforts of humanitarian and development organisations by being integrated into:
- Digital learning centres in IDP camps
- NGO-led community education programmes
- Tablet-based learning initiatives
- Safe spaces for adolescents
Its ease of use and portability make it a practical tool for frontline facilitators.
6. Enhancing Safe Learning Alternatives
Insecurity has made travel to school unsafe in some communities. uLesson allows for home-based or camp-based learning, reducing exposure to unsafe routes while ensuring continuity of education during periods of heightened tension.
7. Boosting Learner Motivation and Emotional Well-Being
Emergencies are stressful for children. uLesson’s engaging features—like interactive quizzes, animations, and progress tracking—can help maintain motivation, boost confidence, and create a positive learning environment even in difficult times.
Conclusion
As Northern Nigeria continues to grapple with conflict and displacement, innovative tools like uLesson can play an important role in strengthening Education in Emergencies interventions. By offering flexible access, consistent quality instruction, and learner-centred support, uLesson has the potential to help crisis-affected children continue learning and develop the skills needed for a better future.
Dataville Research will continue to explore technology-driven solutions that improve learning outcomes for vulnerable populations across the region.
]]>Here’s your chance to be heard on a global stage.
Dataville Research invites emerging professionals, researchers, and development practitioners across the Global South to submit 10–20 minute short videos for the 2026 Global Development Voices Webinar Series — a platform celebrating innovative thinking and field-based insights.
Finalists will be featured as Dataville Research Ambassadors and inducted into the Dataville Research Consultants Pool, connecting them to future research collaborations, development projects, and consultancy opportunities worldwide.
Thematic Areas
Submit your short video on one or more of these focus areas:
1⃣ Development Careers & Capacity Building
NGO and UN career pathways • Fellowships and volunteering • Development training and skills growth
2⃣ Research, Data & Policy
Policy research • Data-driven development • Monitoring & Evaluation • Evidence-based policymaking
3⃣ Project Management & Fundraising
Proposal writing • Donor engagement • Project design, budgeting & reporting
4⃣ Governance, Peacebuilding & Human Rights
Accountability • Transparency • Conflict resolution • Citizen participation
5⃣ Climate Action & Sustainability
Climate resilience • Renewable energy • Food security • WASH and green innovation
6⃣ Gender, Youth & Inclusion
Women’s empowerment • Disability inclusion • Youth leadership • Social equity
7⃣ Innovation, Technology & Social Enterprise
Digital transformation • Fintech for development • Impact entrepreneurship • AI for good
Video Guidelines
Your 10–20 minute horizontal video should include:
- A short self-introduction (name, country, and background).
- Your main idea or message.
- Why your idea matters for the Global South.
Upload quality: clear audio and lighting preferred.
Deadline: December 31, 2025
How to Apply
1⃣ Record your video (10–20 minutes).
2⃣ Upload it to Google Drive
3⃣ Send your video link, name, country, and a 100-word bio to: media@datavillegroup.com
Subject: Dataville Research Video Entry – [Your Name]
Only video submissions will be accepted. Written entries will not be considered.
Benefits for Selected Finalists
Named as Dataville Research Ambassador (2025 Cohort) Inducted into the Dataville Research Consultants Pool for future regional projects Featured on Dataville Research’s website, social media, and publications Certificate of Recognition from Dataville Research Invitation to co-host a Dataville Research webinar or podcast Priority access to training, research, and remote consultancy opportunities Networking and mentorship with senior development professionals
The Dataville Research Career Pool provides a centralised platform for applicants to submit their CVs and express interest in future roles within Dataville Research and its partner network, including NGOs, and think tanks.
Importantly, registration is completely free to applicants. There are no membership or application fees — the Career Pool is part of Dataville Research’s commitment to promoting open access to career opportunities in the international development sector.
Commenting on the launch, Dr Cynthia Obadan, Assistant Director of Programmes at Dataville Research, said:
“The Career Pool allows us to identify and engage exceptional talent across the development sector — from emerging professionals to seasoned consultants. It’s a proactive approach to workforce development, helping us respond swiftly to new project needs around the world.”
The initiative supports Dataville Research’s mission to advance evidence-based policymaking, data-driven programming, and inclusive development across the Global South. Applicants with expertise in research, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, or programme management are encouraged to apply.
Professionals can now register their interest and upload their CVs at www.datavillegroup.com/career-center.
]]>In a recent statement, Dataville Research emphasized the importance of equipping development professionals with practical tools that bridge the gap between theory and field application. Tools4Dev, an open-access platform offering templates, guides, and toolkits for project design, monitoring, evaluation, and data management, aligns closely with Dataville Research’s mission of fostering evidence-based practice and professional growth.
According to Evelyn Mallo, Senior Programme Officer at Dataville Research, “In today’s competitive development landscape, practical skills and field-tested tools are what make professionals stand out. Tools4Dev provides exactly that—a comprehensive career kit that supports both learning and implementation.”
Through this advocacy, Dataville Research seeks to strengthen collaboration between knowledge platforms and practitioners, enabling a new generation of professionals to design, manage, and evaluate projects more effectively.
The organization also reaffirmed its commitment to integrating Tools4Dev resources into its training programmes and fellowships, ensuring that participants can apply global best practices in real-world development contexts.
For more information, visit www.datavillegroup.com or explore the Tools4Dev platform at www.tools4dev.org.
]]>Dataville Research invites students, young professionals, researchers, and social innovators across Africa and the Global South to participate in the Dataville Development Challenge 2025 — an open competition for bold, practical, and data-driven ideas that can help reduce poverty and improve livelihoods in local communities.
Across Africa, millions of people continue to face barriers to opportunity. Yet, within every community lies creativity and resilience. This challenge aims to surface those homegrown solutions — from grassroots economic initiatives to digital innovations and community-based models that can inspire large-scale change.
Who Can Apply
- University students, youth leaders, development practitioners, and early-career professionals (ages 18–40).
- Individuals or teams (maximum of 3 members).
- Open to participants from all countries in the Global South.
What to Submit
Participants are to submit a 1,000–1,500 word policy brief or concept note outlining:
- The poverty-related challenge in their community or country.
- The proposed solution and how it can be implemented.
- Expected impact, scalability, and sustainability.
- Data, case studies, or evidence (if available) to support the idea.
Alternative: Participants may submit a 3-minute video pitch explaining their idea clearly and convincingly.
Awards and Recognition
First Prize: $1000 cash prize + Certificate of Excellence + Publication on Dataville’s website
Second Prize: $700 cash prize + Certificate of Excellence + Publication on Dataville’s website
Third Prize: $500 cash prize + Certificate of Excellence + Publication on Dataville’s website
All finalists will receive a Certificate of Participation and visibility through Dataville’s global platforms.
Key Dates
- Call Opens: October 27, 2025
- Submission Deadline: December 15, 2025
- Winners Announced: January 10, 2026
How to Apply
- Submit your entry via email to submissions@datavillegroup.com with the subject line: Dataville Development Challenge 2025.
- Include your full name, country, and contact details.
- Attach your essay (in PDF or Word format) or share your video pitch link (Google Drive/YouTube).
The new programme aims to build a network of highly skilled facilitators capable of delivering high-impact training and mentoring within their organizations and communities. By focusing on participatory methodologies, adult learning techniques, and contextualized knowledge transfer, the initiative seeks to improve the quality and sustainability of development interventions.
According to Edith Makufa, Senior Programme Officer at Dataville Research, “We recognize that many NGOs struggle not because of lack of funding, but because of limited internal capacity. This programme equips leaders with the skills to teach, mentor, and cascade knowledge effectively — ensuring that capacity development has a lasting impact.”
The ToT programme will cover essential areas including training design and delivery, facilitation skills, monitoring and evaluation of learning, and leadership for development. Participants will also receive mentorship and access to Dataville Research’s global alumni network of practitioners and experts.
With over a decade of experience training thousands of professionals worldwide, Dataville Research continues to pioneer innovative approaches to learning and professional development in the NGO sector. The launch of the ToT programme represents a strategic step toward expanding its impact in human capital development and organizational strengthening.
Applications for the inaugural cohort are now open through the organization’s website.
For more information, contact tot@datavillegroup.com.
]]>The award celebrates organizations making exceptional strides in advancing sustainable development, promoting social inclusion, and fostering South–South collaboration. Dataville Research’s nomination highlights its pioneering role in bridging research and practice through capacity development programmes that have trained thousands of professionals across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Over the past decade, Dataville Research has emerged as a trusted hub for global development learning and applied research. Its alumni network includes practitioners working with major NGOs, government agencies, donor organizations, and international institutions driving impact in areas such as poverty reduction, humanitarian response, gender equality, and sustainable livelihoods.
The Global Development Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Global South Network, recognizing institutions that demonstrate excellence in innovation, collaboration, and measurable development impact. Winners will be announced at the annual Global Development Summit to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, April next year.
Dataville Research’s nomination not only reflects its institutional achievements but also its growing influence in shaping conversations around inclusive growth and local capacity development within the Global South.
For press inquiries or media collaborations, please contact:
info@datavillegroup.com
www.datavillegroup.com
This strategic partnership marks an important milestone in the organization’s mission to democratize knowledge, promote transparency, and strengthen collaboration within the international development community. By making key project outputs freely accessible, Dataville Research seeks to foster a culture of openness that enables researchers, NGOs, and policymakers to learn from real-world interventions and apply those insights to improve development outcomes globally.
Under the new agreement, Dataville Research and its alumni fellows will work together to curate a digital repository featuring open-access datasets, methodologies, policy briefs, and impact reports from completed and ongoing projects. This resource will serve as a knowledge hub for practitioners and researchers seeking practical models and replicable solutions to address pressing humanitarian and development challenges.
Evelyn Mallo, Senior Programme Officer at Dataville Research, emphasized the long-term vision behind the collaboration:
“Open access is not just a technical shift — it’s a moral and professional commitment to ensuring that evidence and innovation are shared for the greater good. Through this MoU, our alumni are playing a leading role in ensuring that development knowledge remains inclusive, transparent, and actionable.”
The Alumni Development Research Fellows, an active global network of professionals trained by Dataville Research, bring a wealth of expertise from diverse contexts — spanning Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Many of them currently work with NGOs, donor agencies, and think tanks, applying data-driven approaches to tackle issues such as poverty reduction, gender equality, humanitarian response, and sustainable livelihoods.
Together, Dataville Research and its alumni fellows will co-design workshops, webinars, and mentorship sessions to promote responsible data sharing and open-source research ethics. These activities aim to inspire a new generation of researchers and practitioners committed to evidence-based development.
Since its founding, Dataville Research has emerged as one of the most recognized training and research organizations in the development sector, with reach across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Over the past decade, the organization has trained thousands of professionals through specialized programmes in project management, humanitarian response, monitoring and evaluation, sustainable development, and data analytics.
By entering this open-access era, Dataville Research continues to strengthen its legacy of bridging research, policy, and practice — reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and global knowledge sharing.
For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact: info@datavillegroup.com www.datavillegroup.com
According to the organisation, thousands of young Nigerians complete the NYSC scheme each year without adequate exposure to the practical skills required in the global development sector, leaving many unable to take advantage of opportunities offered by donor agencies, NGOs and international organisations.
In a statement released over the weekend, Dataville Research said its courses are designed to bridge this gap by providing Corps members and recent graduates with the technical and professional skills needed to compete globally.
“The NYSC year offers a rare opportunity for young Nigerians to develop competencies beyond their academic degrees,” the statement read. “Our international development courses are tailored to equip participants with real-world understanding of humanitarian coordination, project management, and impact evaluation, which are key entry points into the NGO and development field.”
Dataville Research, which began operations in Nigeria over a decade ago before relocating its head office to the United Kingdom, said it has trained more than 25,000 early-career professionals across Africa through its remote internship and professional development programmes.
Its alumni, the organisation noted, now work with leading international bodies including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, Oxfam, Save the Children, and other donor-funded initiatives across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
The statement added that the NGO job market in Nigeria and across Africa has become highly competitive, with international agencies increasingly seeking candidates who possess both local experience and global development knowledge.
“Dataville Research believes that investing in professional training during the NYSC year gives young graduates a significant advantage,” the organisation said. “We encourage Corps members to take part in our upcoming cohorts to gain practical exposure to international development frameworks and strengthen their employability in the humanitarian sector.”
Prospective participants are encouraged to visit www.datavillegroup.com for information on available courses and application timelines.
]]>Since its inception, Dataville Research has emerged as one of the most recognized training and research organizations in the development sector, with a reach spanning across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Over the past decade, the organization has trained thousands of development professionals through specialized programs in project management, humanitarian response, monitoring and evaluation, sustainable development, and data analytics. Its participants represent NGOs, government agencies, international donors, academic institutions, and grassroots organizations working at the forefront of social change.
A Decade of Growth and Innovation
In its 10-year journey, Dataville Research has:
- Designed and delivered over 100 professional development programs tailored to the evolving needs of the development sector.
- Reached more than 50,000 professionals from over 100 countries through online and in-person trainings.
- Built a vibrant alumni network of practitioners contributing to poverty reduction, humanitarian action, governance, and sustainable development worldwide.
- Expanded its research and consultancy services, supporting evidence-based policy and project design for NGOs and international institutions.
- Established partnerships with leading development stakeholders, ensuring that knowledge-sharing and collaboration remain central to its mission.
Leadership Reflections
Commenting on the milestone, the Executive Director of Dataville Research remarked:
“Our 10th anniversary is a celebration of both achievement and responsibility. Over the years, we have seen firsthand how capacity-building translates into impact—how training a single project officer can transform entire communities. We remain deeply committed to expanding opportunities for practitioners across the Global North and South, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.”
Looking Ahead
As Dataville Research steps into its second decade, the organization is preparing to launch new initiatives that reflect the rapidly changing development landscape. These include:
- Advanced Digital Training Platforms to expand access to remote and blended learning opportunities.
- Specialized Fellowship and Mentorship Programs to support early-career professionals entering the development field.
- Regional Hubs in the Global North and South to strengthen collaboration, foster knowledge exchange, and deepen engagement with local partners.
- Cutting-edge Research Initiatives addressing emerging challenges such as climate resilience, humanitarian innovation, and data-driven development.