By Elizabeth Osayande

LAGOS — Human capital development firm, WordenHCD, has partnered with Access Bank to train over 2,500 primary and secondary school students in Lagos through the second edition of its Spark-ED initiative, Spark-ED 2.0.

The programme, currently running in schools including Muritala Ajadi School, Surulere; Hope Rising Primary School, Bariga; and Millard Primary School, Ikeja, seeks to equip students with practical skills in financial literacy, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship.

According to WordenHCD, Spark-ED 2.0 builds on the success of its first edition by expanding reach and deepening focus on skills needed for the digital economy. Students are being taught how to make informed financial decisions, use technology to solve problems, and identify opportunities to create value.

Chief Operating Officer of WordenHCD, Ifreke Brendan, said the initiative is designed to prepare young people beyond academics.

“Education must go beyond academic knowledge. Young people need to understand how money works, how technology can be used to solve problems, and how ideas can be transformed into value,” Brendan said. “Through Spark-ED 2.0, we are giving students an early opportunity to develop these competencies and begin seeing themselves as problem-solvers, innovators and future leaders.”

The programme uses interactive, age-appropriate methods to teach concepts such as money management, responsible financial habits, digital tools, critical thinking, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

A key focus is moving students from theory to application, encouraging them to identify everyday challenges in their communities and develop practical solutions.

The partnership underscores the role of private-sector collaboration in human capital development. With 2,500 students targeted, WordenHCD and Access Bank say Spark-ED 2.0 aims to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and produce a generation of financially responsible, digitally capable and entrepreneurial Nigerians.