Ejagham Language Curriculum Development (ELCD) Project Update – May 2026
Tireless Committee Members in a session. L-R: Nta Ogar Okang, Dr. Roseline Egbe, Prof. Stella Ansa. The smiles speak volumes – work for motherland can be satisfying, despite the pain.
In the last quarterly report, the Ejagham Language Curriculum Development (ELCD) Project recorded meaningful progress in advancing both the Primary and parts of the Junior Secondary School (JSS) curricula, essential pillars of our long‑term vision for cultural preservation and educational empowerment of Ejagham people. The ELCD Committee completed its full review of the Primary 1 – 6 draft curriculum, after which the edited versions were compiled and shared internally. Typing and formatting were already underway, bringing the team closer to a refined draft Ejagham Language Curriculum.
The next phase was to focus on completing the typing of the primary curriculum, finalising the Junior Secondary School (JSS) review, and conducting a holistic assessment of all materials before preparing the full draft curriculum package for validation.
We are pleased to announce that this phase was successfully completed by the end of May 2026. The team finalised the JSS draft and advanced the refinement of both the Primary and JSS curricula. This achievement marks a major milestone and sets the stage for the next critical step in the project.
According to the project plan, the completed draft Ejagham Language Curricula for Primary 1 – 6 and Junior Secondary School (JSS) will now be transmitted to the designated consultants in Nigeria and Cameroon for expert review. These consultants are:
- Prof. Alice Eta Asim, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Science Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
- Dr. Patience Ebam, University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, Nigeria.
- Prof. Magdalene Bakume Nkongho, University of Buea, Cameroon.
Following their expert assessment, native‑speaker representatives from each Ejagham cluster will be invited to the University of Calabar, Nigeria, to participate in the formal validation process. The timeline for these next stages is currently being finalised and will be communicated once confirmed.
The ELCD project wheel continues to turn – slowly, yes, but steadily and with unwavering purpose. Financial records show a rise in expenditure from ₦980,000, as reported in the last quarter report, to ₦1,420,000 for Personnel supporting the Curriculum Development activity. This increase reflects the additional sessions required to complete the intellectually demanding work, yet it also confirms that the development of the draft curricula for Primary 1 – 6 and JSS has so far remained within budget.
This achievement was made possible through the prudence and disciplined leadership of Prof. Stella Ansa, Chairperson of the Committee, and the deep sense of duty demonstrated by the volunteer members who understood that this work is, above all, a service to the motherland. Although the budget provided for ten sittings, the process required far more. Still, the team remained committed, consistent, and focused on delivering quality work for the Ejagham nation.
On behalf of the Ejagham people, we extend profound appreciation to the leadership and members of the Committee for their sacrifice, professionalism, and unwavering dedication.
Ejagham Language Curriculum Development (ELCD) Budget vs Spend, YTD
It is evident that the draft curriculum phase, representing the intellectual foundation of the entire project, required time. This was due to several factors: the highly technical and intellectually demanding nature of curriculum development; the fact that committee members are volunteers balancing full professional workloads; and the persistent challenge of limited financial resources.
Tireless Committee Members in a session. L-R: Dr. Stephen Ellah, Dr. Roseline Egbe, Prof. Stella Ansa
Indeed, lean financial resources remain one of the greatest threats to the ELCD Project and its successful implementation. More than nine months into the ELCD Fundraising effort, we remain significantly behind our target of ₦20 million. Given the current global economic climate, the actual cost of completing this project will certainly exceed this initial estimate.
As stated in one of the ELCD Fundraising campaigns, “Ejagham, The Raffia Palm, and ELCD Fundraising,” the Ejagham saying below reminds us:
“Esin Oka, na Oka ka biji, na mbuta atima ano.”
Only the raffia palm, with all its raffia, is drenched by the rain.
The reminder further begs the question – How long shall Ejagham People continue to be drenched, with all the raffia upon us?
The next stages of the project will demand far more financial resources than what has been required so far. Your financial support is urgently needed to move these stages forward, safeguard our mother tongue, and institutionalise the Ejagham language across all Ejagham communities in the Ejagham nation.
Kindly donate to:
- Account name: Ejagham Tradition Centre
- Account no.: 203 588 3685
- Bank name: First Bank Nigeria.
ELCD Fundraising Target Vs Realised Amount
The work ahead is great, but the responsibility is ours. The future of our language depends on what we do now.
Ekup na nkad
President, EjT
