It is intriguing to see how a Nigerian, Ebubechukwu Uba, a Doctoral student at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in the Information Science, Global Science, and Technology Studies and Community Informatics research areas, is a leading voice in education and social justice and is spearheading efforts to bridge the digital divide in Nigeria and indeed the world.
The prolific Uba, who is in her preliminary fieldwork of her research, recognising the profound impact of unequal access to education and technology, is dedicated to empowering marginalised communities and ensuring equitable opportunities for all to bridge the digital divide in Nigeria.
She is driven by a concern for the marginalised, and she believes that true societal progress hinges on equitable access to education and technology.
Uba’s passion and concern stem from the deeply entrenched societal inequalities that limit access to quality education and technology for those living in rural areas. “The elite enjoy privileged access to education and technology, while the marginalised communities often struggle to overcome systemic barriers. This gap leads to cycles of disadvantages and hinders overall societal progress.”
Uba critiques the prevailing narrative that celebrates individual success stories from marginalised communities as exceptional despite limited resources. “This narrative ignores the systemic barriers faced by these communities,” she emphasizes. “It should be the societal norm. Technologies are hardly designed to factor in the voices of the marginalised in our society. Yet, they are expected to know how to use technology and actively participate in a digital world.”
Drawing from reality, she shows how initiatives like Lagos Design Week or coding programs portray an idealised version of technology and the rural community. This presents a romanticised view of “technology upgrading the lives of rural communities and making them better.”
Uba’s work aims to shift focus from this situation to the lived lives and experiences of the local communities. She centres their voices and experiences by showing how they truly engage with technology, how they innovate within their specific contexts, what their viewpoints, opinions, and perspectives are, and how these can be incorporated into research and society.
To address these critical issues, Ebubechukwu Uba founded Step-Up Academy, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving literacy rates and empowering young people in rural Nigerian communities. Through initiatives like the rural slum literacy program, Step-Up Academy empowers young people with essential literacy skills and knowledge, fostering a more equitable and inclusive learning environment. Her commitment to social justice has also translated into her doctoral research, which explores the intersection of education, technology, and marginalised communities. By examining the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these communities, she hopes to develop innovative solutions that can be adapted and applied to similar contexts across the globe.
Ebubechukwu Uba’s work serves as a powerful reminder that true societal progress can only be achieved through inclusive and equitable development.
By championing the rights and needs of marginalised communities, she is paving the way for a more just and equitable future for all. Her work serves as an inspiration, reminding us that true progress can only be achieved when we empower all members of society, regardless of their background or circumstances.