By Prisca Sam-Duru

Born and raised in the warm and hospitable state of Akwa Ibom, the culture of care inculcated into Idara Uwatt remains with her till date. Long before obtaining her first degree in Marketing from the University of Uyo, and Master’s from the University of Lagos, Idara was already drawn to children—volunteering at school carnivals, organizing children’s theatre productions, etc.

Starting as a schoolteacher, Idara has grown to become the CEO of ParentalPal, a growing company committed to nurturing exceptional children.

Motherhood for her came early, leading to her quiet but firm vow to be her son’s biggest role model. “Raising a child as a single mother while pursuing a full-time career was never going to be easy. There were nanny scares, missed milestones, and moments of deep guilt. What saved me in those early years was a neighbourhood afterschool provider who stepped in when I needed it most. That experience planted a seed. I knew then that what many parents needed wasn’t more judgment—but more support,” she explained.

She shares more about what helped shape her approach to education and parenting.

“After my youth service, my first job was as a Montessori instructor at Mona School in Sapele. I was instantly at home—engaging children through creativity and learning through play. It confirmed what I already knew: this was my calling. Later, when I moved to Lagos for my master’s, I joined a theatre company, taught children dance, arts, and crafts, and even started dance fitness classes for older women.

“I was on theatre tours across Europe, blending work with passion. I monetized every talent I had. Eventually, I brought my son to live with me. I joined the school administration team where I was already teaching, and I noticed a pattern—parents would come to me for extra help: weekend childcare, tutoring, or just help organizing their children’s routines. I started helping on the side, and soon, our tutoring business grew—supporting families across Nigeria, the UK, Asia, and the U.S. The demand became undeniable. I needed a dedicated space—a place where my vision could live and breathe. That dream became a reality with our first Parental Pal Centre in Gbagada Phase 1. My foundation in Montessori and EYFS philosophies has guided me: learning must ignite imagination, spark reasoning, and help children solve problems—starting with the little ones.”

To a large extent, Idara’s upbringing has influenced the way she nurtures children under her care. According to her, she was raised in a home where discipline, independence, and responsibility were non-negotiable. Her parents, she noted, “Didn’t spoil us, they empowered us. My dad had this saying whenever we visited relatives: “Be useful. Don’t be a liability.” That became my personal ethic, even in the way I wrote my first CV. Today, I channel that same principle into how we run ParentalPal. We’re not here to pamper children into helplessness. We’re here to empower them. Parents often ask how to raise confident kids. My answer is simple: give your child repeated opportunities to prove their ability to themselves. When doubt creeps in, remind them of past wins. Confidence is built one little victory at a time.”

Idara’s transformation from a passionate teacher to the founder of a scalable business model like ParentalPal was inspired by her parents. She relived how they “would sit across from me, overwhelmed and exhausted, holding back tears. They were doing it all without support. That broke me and fueled me at the same time.”

She added, “When I was ready to step out fully, I surveyed more parents and confirmed what I suspected—what we needed wasn’t another school, but a support system for parents. A true parenting ally. We began with tutoring, then helped plan children’s parties, and today, we run a fully-equipped childcare and enrichment centre. We’re not driven by fluff. We’re driven by real value. This work involves children—it demands integrity, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose,” she added.

As someone deeply invested in child development, Idara believes that effective parenting in today’s fast-paced world requires flexibility and clarity. According to her, “You have to stay on your toes while remaining grounded in your values. With the world constantly evolving, the key is to decide what your family stands for, then raise your children with those values front and centre. Understand your children’s personalities, your own capacities, and the unique realities of your family life. From there, create a structure that works for you. It could be as simple as a shared schedule, but structure is always a strong foundation.”

On the pivotal moments that transformed ParentalPal into a global brand, she states, “One word- virtual.” She recalls how the Covid 19 pandemic influenced the organisation’s transformation. “When the pandemic hit, we had no choice but to go online. What started as a necessity became a game-changer. The results spoke for themselves, and we invested in systems to ensure efficiency. Referrals poured in, and we made sure to reward those who spread the word. Today, we proudly serve families across Nigeria, the UK, the U.S., and Asia.”

Balancing her professional responsibilities with her role as a mother comes effortlessly as she makes sure to practice what she preaches. The ParentPal boss explains further that she lives by a schedule, and requests for help when in need, adding, “With my son, I have non-negotiable things we must consider in planning and decision making, and negotiables we can delegate or be easy with. That clarity has helped me stay present both as a mother and a leader.”

Regarding lessons learned from families she has worked with, as well as how they shaped the way ParentalPal evolves its programs, Idara explained; “I’ve learned that families crave real and personalized value. They don’t want one-size-fits-all solutions—they want to be felt, seen, supported, and understood. Whether it’s tutoring, nanny referrals, school placement advice, or strategies for a child with learning gaps, no two families are alike.

“Yet, underneath the surface, there are universal foundations of child development that guide us. This summer, for instance, we’re hosting a vibrant holiday camp—and some parents have already asked if we offer a boarding solution. That tells me something: families need more. They need trusted spaces where their children can grow even while they work or travel. If we receive enough interest, we’re seriously considering adding a boarding option next year. Because at ParentalPal, we stay flexible. We stay listening. And we build with parents—not just for them.”

Looking ahead, ParentalPal has a bold vision to expand what’s possible in every parenting journey. The plan, according to Idara, is to be at “the forefront of childcare support in Africa and beyond. We want to raise a generation of empowered, solution-minded leaders – children who will boldly step forward to make the world better because someone once created the space for them to believe they could.”