Babcock Lecturer Launches Free Math & Literacy Hub for Ogun Students
Babcock University, Ilisan Remo
Dr Adetutu Habib, an Economics lecturer at Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, has given back to her community by launching a free learning hub in Awa-Ijebu, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State. The initiative, named Palm Tutors Learning Hub, aims to help students in underserved communities improve their mathematics skills and vocabulary development.
This thoughtful donation commemorates Dr Habib’s recent doctoral graduation from Babcock University and fulfils her long-time vision of offering practical academic support to struggling learners.
A Safe Space for Learning and Growth
Dr Habib, who works at the university’s Directorate of Research, Innovation and International Cooperation, explained that the hub is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where children can:
Study at their own pace
Build strong numeracy and literacy skills
Develop godly values and discipline
She revealed that her inspiration began in 2021 when she launched the First 2-Nine Teenagers’ Club in the same community. Initially, she provided over 50 reading books to encourage literacy, but challenges such as missing or poorly returned books made the model unsustainable.
Creating Holistic Learning Solutions
To address the deeper academic needs of children, Dr Habib introduced Math R-aid in 2023, connecting struggling children to volunteer tutors with support from Palm Tutors and Alfred Pop sponsorship. However, poor internet and electricity issues made it difficult to continue.
She said, “It became clear that simply giving them access to video lessons wasn’t enough. Without efforts to strengthen their literacy skills and nurture the will to learn, the impact would be limited.”
Through math competitions, mentoring, and classroom experiences, Dr Habib noticed a common challenge: many children lacked a strong foundation in both math and vocabulary.
From University to YouTube: Reaching Over 2,000 Learners
While teaching Economics at Babcock, she observed that over 60% of her students struggled with basic math. To bridge this gap, she started creating short, relatable video lessons for Nigerian learners. Inspired further by her daughter’s early education experience, she launched the Times Table Mastery Course during the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, she has created more than 400 video lessons tailored to Nigerian primary and secondary school syllabi. Her approach uses local accents and real-life examples to make math simpler and more engaging.
A Call for Support
Dr Habib is now appealing to well-meaning Nigerians and organizations to support the hub by donating:
Mathematics kits
Books and literacy resources
Computers and learning gadgets
Solar-powered electricity to ensure consistent study sessions
“This hub is not just a building—it’s a bridge to a better future. Every gadget, book, or learning kit donated will help unlock a child’s potential,” — Dr Adetutu Habib
Palm Tutors Learning Hub is more than just a project—it’s a grassroots movement to transform education for the most vulnerable children in Ogun State. Dr Habib’s journey from academic research to community impact serves as a shining example of how one person’s passion can create lasting change.
