Learn Africa Plc | Businessfront Over 50 Nigeria

ABOUT

Founded in 1961 as Longman Nigeria, Learn Africa began as the local arm of Longman Group UK (now Pearson Education). The printing company became a publicly listed company in 1996. The company became a subsidiary of Pearson Plc after increasing its shareholding from 29 to 51 per cent in 2008, and both companies mutually agreed to become separate corporate entities in Nigeria.

Following a shift in ownership, where Pearson briefly held majority control, the company became independent and rebranded to Learn Africa Plc in 2011. The main business of Learn Africa Plc is the publication and marketing of textbooks for the entire gamut of the educational system, from nursery to tertiary, with a distribution network across the country.

The company also delivers value beyond publishing, providing teacher development programs, educational consultancy, and early e-learning initiatives.

While maintaining its strong print presence, Learn Africa has embraced the digital shift. In 2021, it launched the Learn Africa eReader app, digitizing key titles, creating video and animated content for younger learners, and driving content distribution through technology.

Its CSR arm, the Learn Africa Education Development Foundation, launched in 2012, awards academic excellence through the Learn Africa-NECO Excellence Awards and supports initiatives like the PEAT-Philips Spelling Bee, reinforcing its commitment to educational upliftment.

leadership

Alhaji Hassan Bala

CEO

Alhaji Hassan Bala is the Managing Director of Learn Africa Plc. A seasoned professional with decades of experience in publishing, sales, and strategic management, Hassan Bala has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s trajectory, especially during a period of significant transformation in the education sector.

Hassan Bala’s journey with Learn Africa Plc is a story of steady growth and deep institutional knowledge. He joined the company in the late 1990s, back when it was still known as Longman Nigeria, and rose through the ranks by holding several key positions, including Regional Sales Manager, Head of Sales and Marketing, and General Manager for Sales and Distribution. This broad exposure across critical business functions gave him a firsthand understanding of the company’s operations and the Nigerian publishing market’s unique challenges.

Appointed Managing Director/CEO, Hassan Bala has been instrumental in repositioning the company as a modern, technology-driven publishing house. Under his leadership, the company successfully navigated its transition from being a subsidiary of Pearson Education to an independent Nigerian brand, rebranding as Learn Africa in 2011. He has since championed investments in digital solutions, including the launch of the Learn Africa eReader app, which makes key textbooks and learning materials available online. This move has positioned the company to serve Nigeria’s growing base of tech-savvy learners and educators.

Beyond digital innovation, Hassan Bala has emphasized operational efficiency and financial discipline.

Passionate about education and human capital development, Hassan Bala has driven corporate social responsibility initiatives through the Learn Africa Education Development Foundation (LAEDF). The foundation rewards academic excellence through programs like the Learn Africa-NECO Excellence Awards and supports initiatives that enhance literacy and teacher training nationwide.

With a clear vision to combine the company’s publishing heritage with innovation, Hassan Bala continues to guide Learn Africa Plc toward becoming the most trusted and impactful educational solutions provider in Nigeria.