Cart is empty Local Solutions for Social Change
COAL is a nonprofit based in Plateau, Nigeria, a state at the crossroads of ethno-religious diversity and artistic brilliance but also marked by recurring violence. Our exclusive focus is investing in grassroots educators and accelerated learning initiatives to improve learning for underserved children, and empower youth in the literary and creative arts for social change.
We’re local by design, but with a global outlook and network driven by young people. We create spaces for learning and creativity to thrive—especially where it’s needed most.
What we do
We support education efforts at the grassroots in Nigeria so more vulnerable and marginalised children can learn, and we work with young creatives across Africa, utilising their art for social change.
Why we do it
Nigeria faces one of the world’s worst education crises. About 20 million children are not in school, according to UNESCO. Despite rising enrollment rates, a significant portion of Nigerian children in basic education struggle with foundational literacy and numeracy skills, with UNICEF reporting that 75% of children aged 7-14 cannot read a simple sentence or solve basic math problems. At the same time, over 70% of Nigerians are under 30, but more than half of youth are unemployed. Amid this crisis lies an opportunity. Africa’s creative economy is booming worth $58 billion but many young people in Africa lack the skills, platforms, and mentorship to turn their creativity into a sustainable career. Without urgent action, millions risk being left behind without education, opportunity, or the means to shape their future.
Support Education: Buy A Book
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Quick ViewDamage
₦15,000 -
Quick ViewJungle of Jenta
₦8,000 -
Quick ViewThe Whispering Trees
₦10,000 -
Quick ViewThe Fishermen
₦15,000 -
Quick View -
Quick ViewGrace
₦15,000 -
Quick View -
Quick ViewA Broken People’s Playlist
₦12,500
News and Updates
Anthology Release Held Too Briefly New anthology amplifies African creative voices on avoidable disaster deaths through literary and visual arts
The Iskanchi Book Prize Deadline: April 21, 2025 $1,000 and book publication Find out more! Sprinng Writing Fellowship 2025 Deadline:
The Custodians of African Literature (COAL) through the Grassroots Accelerated Education Fund invests in community-led initiatives that improve learning outcomes
Use your art as to advocate for more lives worth saving!!!
Wasafiri – Fiction, Life Writing, and Poetry: Open Call Deadline: November 22, 2024. With least payment of 50-150 Euro Find
Opportunities for creatives
At COAL, we recognize the vital role these grassroots initiatives play in Nigeria's development. Through our "Empowering Citizen Aid Actors" project, we've carefully curated series of capacity-building sessions designed to strengthen the organizational systems and processes of citizen aid actors working on development and humanitarian initiatives in Nigeria.