PEARSON, the world’s leading learning company, and Longman Nigeria Plc have announced the unanimous resolution of Longman shareholders to change its name to Learn Africa Plc.

At a well attended extraordinary general meeting at the Longman head office in Ikeja, the shareholders also voted to amend sections of the company’s articles and memorandum of association which determined the maximum number of directors and the privileges of the majority shareholder.  The meeting, which had representatives of the majority shareholder – Pearson Plc – in attendance, was very brief and business-like.

With the resolutions passed, a statement from the two companies indicated that Longman Nigeria Plc was now ready to commence its branding and business repositioning exercise while Pearson would set up operations in Nigeria.   At the meeting, the Chairman of Longman Nigeria Plc, Mr Emeke Iwerebon, also introduced newly appointed directors to shareholders.  Those who recently joined the board include Alhaji Awwalu Makarfi and Mr C. Iloeje.

It would be recalled that earlier in June, Pearson Plc and its Nigerian subsidiary, Longman Nigeria Plc, had mutually agreed to pursue the opportunities in the country’s education sector as separate organizations – a decision that would lead to Pearson’s divestment from the company by December 2012.

The relationship between the two companies dates back to 1961, when Longman Group UK first incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary in Nigeria. Following changes in the business regulatory environment in Nigeria, Pearson at a point became a minority shareholder and later a majority shareholder in 2009.  Pearson is currently the world’s leading learning company while Longman Nigeria Plc is Nigeria’s leading education solutions business.