From Nigeria to the World: +234Express Champions Cross-Cultural Tolerance Through Children’s Books
+234Express promotes cross-cultural understanding in Nigeria through children's books, celebrating heritage and unity.
By
Nov 26, 2025
+234Express, a creative media enterprise, is using children’s literature to promote cross-cultural understanding, preserve Nigeria’s heritage, and foster national unity. In a country where hundreds of languages and numerous cultures coexist, representation in early storytelling plays a critical role in shaping how children perceive themselves and others. +234Express was established to address the longstanding need for authentic, culturally grounded stories for young readers.
At the heart of this effort is the Nigeria Heritage Series (NHS), a collection of illustrated storybooks that capture the breadth of the country’s history, cultures, and identities. What began as a modest creative project has evolved into a nationwide mission, culminating in the Reading Against Intolerance (RAI) Project—an ambitious initiative aimed at distributing 10 million free books to schools and underserved communities.
+234Express focuses on helping children embrace their identities through stories that reflect the diversity of Nigerian life. “We want every Nigerian child, no matter where they live, to see themselves in the books they read,” says proprietor John Adoga, an MBA alumnus of Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School. “Our books celebrate Nigeria’s heroes, history, legends, and values; stories that make a child proud to say, ‘This is who I am.’”
By presenting narratives from different regions and perspectives, the company encourages curiosity and understanding among young readers who may be unfamiliar with parts of their own country.
A Bridge to Understanding
A defining feature of +234Express is its commitment to nationwide inclusivity. The Nigeria Heritage Series offers a collective portrait of the nation’s history, cultures, and shared experiences, with 30 stories already published in formats accessible and appealing to children. The collection spans centuries of heritage; from ancient heroes and heroines such as Moremi, Queen Amina, and Inikpi, to influential nationalists like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. It also introduces young readers to major civilisations and empires, including the Benin Empire, Kanem-Bornu, Nok culture, and other foundational societies that have shaped Nigeria’s identity.
The series does not shy away from complex chapters of the country’s past. Sensitive subjects such as the Nigerian Civil War are approached with care through titles like No Victor, No Vanquished and General Ojukwu, which aim to foster understanding rather than division. This breadth of representation reflects the organisation’s belief that children should learn about both the triumphs and trials that form the Nigerian story.
The Nigeria Heritage Series is endorsed by the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) for school use, reaffirming its cultural and educational significance and its value as a resource for classrooms across the country.
The Reading Against Intolerance Movement: Promoting Empathy and Unity
Beyond preserving heritage, the story books by +234Express emphasize empathy, courage, and unity—values that resonate with Nigerian children and with audiences abroad. “We don’t just want to sell books. Our purpose is deeper; our books are about changing mindsets,” Adoga says. “We’re building bridges for children in Nigeria and for those abroad, helping them reconnect with their roots.” For families in the diaspora, the books often serve as a cultural link, offering children a meaningful way to learn about their origins.
The RAI Project has expanded into a national movement aligned with key annual observances that reinforce its mission. Each year, +234Express marks national and global literacy and unity days—October 1st (Nigeria’s National Day), November 16th (UN International Day for Tolerance), April 23rd (World Book Day), and May 27th (Children’s Day)—using these moments to deepen engagement with schools, communities, and young readers. These outings, school visits, and partner-led activities form an important part of the organisation’s long-term plan to distribute ten million free books, ensuring that the message of unity reaches children across all regions.
Adoga explains, “Through the RAI Project, we are teaching children to read beyond bias and to recognize the values that bind us together as a nation.” Workshops, school programmes, and community outreach complement these annual observances, strengthening the culture of inclusivity and awareness that the project seeks to build.
Achieving the 10-million-books vision requires broad collaboration, and +234Express continues to welcome stakeholders committed to this national cause. Existing partners—including the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), ASR Africa, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and various private-sector and community organisations—have played a vital role in expanding the project’s reach. Their support helps reinforce the central message of RAI: that stories can shape attitudes, inspire tolerance, and unite the next generation.
Looking Ahead
As +234Express expands, its mission remains clear: to use storytelling as a catalyst for social transformation. Upcoming plans include digital editions, wider regional reach, audiobook adaptations, an animated television series, and deeper community partnerships to ensure that culturally rooted stories remain accessible to every child, regardless of location or background. The organisation is also exploring collaborations with educators, cultural institutions, and technology partners to strengthen the role of heritage-based storytelling in early learning.
The journey of +234Express is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: the organisation is helping write a new chapter in Nigeria’s narrative where every child sees themselves reflected, every culture is valued, and every story has the power to bring people together. For Nigerians in the diaspora seeking to reconnect with these stories, selected titles from the Nigeria Heritage Series are available on Amazon, offering an easy gateway to explore and share the richness of Nigeria’s history and identity.
Connect with +234Express:
Explore the Nigeria Heritage Series and join the Reading Against Intolerance movement today!
