'Education in conflict' provider tapped to strengthen education in Nigeria

The U.S. Agency for International Development has contracted Creative Associates International to support Nigeria’s educational system through the Nigerian Education Initiative Plus (NEI+). Creative Associates will implement the project over five years through a $117 million single-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. The project aims to strengthen government systems to enhance the quality of early primary education and increase access to basic education for vulnerable populations. To accomplish the project’s goals, Creative Associates will be called on to facilitate collaboration across projects, liaise between and among stakeholders, and share knowledge and learning. The firm will also need to identify the best practices, technologies, innovations and implementation models that are proven to contribute to positive outcomes for communities. Poverty and unemployment are cited as the greatest development constraints for Nigeria. The U.S. Agency for International Development mission to Nigeria has prioritized developing better educational systems to reduce poverty and increase equitable access to safe, relevant and qualified educational options. USAID/Nigeria invested $31 million for education in 2013 and will invest approximately $35 million for 2014-2015. Past USAID/Nigeria projects on education includes $12 million Literacy Enhancement Assistance Program, Community Participation for Action in the Social Sector and the Sesame Square — an initiative to teach Nigerian children from all segments of society basic alphabet and numeral recognition, health and hygiene lessons, and self-confidence and self-esteem. USAID in Nigeria is currently implementing other education projects including the Reading and Access Research Activity in the North, Leadership, Empowerment, Attitude, Development — LEAD — and the Room to Learn. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American private contractor Creative Associates was formed through the efforts of four women who share the same passion which is to achieve educational excellence. In 2014, Creative ranked 12 on the list of top USAID contractors with obligated USAID contract funding of $70.2 million. According to Creative, the firm has successfully ensured access to quality education for primary school students in conflict-ridden settings with significant improvements to learning outcomes in Pakistan, Egypt, South Sudan, Yemen, Serbia, Iraq, northern Uganda, Central America and elsewhere. Creative is one of four current holders of the Advancing Basic Education: Access for All, an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract global mechanism that issues competitive task orders designed to support the U.S. government’s efforts under Goal 3 of the USAID Education Strategy (2011-2015) to provide equitable access to education for 15 million children in conflict and crisis affected countries by 2015. The firm’s education project portfolio includes Building Education Support Systems for Teachers and Primary Education Program both USAID-funded programs in Afghanistan. The firm was also contracted to implement Iraq/Education II and the Revitalization of Iraqi Schools and Stabilization of Education which are also USAID-funded. Check out more funding trends analyses online, and subscribe to Money Matters to receive the latest contract award and shortlist announcements, and procurement and fundraising news.