The Centre for Educational Empowerment and Orientation (CEEO Nigeria), in partnership with the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), will honour 131 women education entrepreneurs at the 2026 Women-Led Education and Social Enterprise Impact Summit in Abuja.
The Executive Director of CEEO Nigeria, Mr. Davidcrown Oyebisi, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday ahead of the summit scheduled for June 10 at Merit House, Abuja.
The summit, themed “Empowering Women Social Entrepreneurs in Basic and Senior Secondary Education: Driving Policy Influence, Access to Finance and Institutional Support,” is aimed at promoting greater support for women-led educational institutions across Nigeria.
Oyebisi said the event would recognise women who have invested their resources, expertise and commitment in establishing and sustaining schools in low-income and underserved communities.
According to him, the summit seeks to attract increased investment in education by supporting women-led schools that cater to some of the country’s most vulnerable learners.
He explained that the gathering would bring together government officials, development agencies, financial institutions, foundations, corporate organisations and philanthropists to explore ways of strengthening women-led educational enterprises.
“Investing in women-led education is investing in the nation’s most vulnerable learners,” Oyebisi said.
“The summit will highlight how women-led investments are expanding access to quality education for thousands of Nigerian children while creating opportunities for strategic partnerships and sustainable support.”
A major highlight of the event, he said, will be the unveiling of a 200-page compendium documenting the stories of 131 women education entrepreneurs.
The publication, according to him, captures their achievements, challenges, innovations and contributions to expanding educational opportunities for children across the country.
Oyebisi noted that the compendium would serve as an advocacy tool to encourage policymakers, financiers and development partners to channel more resources into women-led educational enterprises.
“The publication is intended to make visible the scale of women’s investment in education, which often goes unrecorded in national education statistics,” he said.
The summit will also feature plenary sessions and policy dialogues focused on improving access to finance for women investors in education. Discussions are expected to cover credit facilities, grants, partnership models and other mechanisms for strengthening the sustainability of women-led schools.
Digital learning and innovation will feature prominently, including discussions on technology-driven interventions and the proposed 131 iPads Project, an initiative designed to enhance teaching and learning through improved access to digital tools and educational resources.
Special awards will be presented to outstanding women change-makers, public officials, development partners, corporate organisations and philanthropists supporting women-led educational institutions.
Oyebisi expressed optimism that the summit would strengthen policy support, improve access to finance and instructional materials, and foster long-term partnerships for educational development.
He also called on individuals and corporate organisations to support the initiative through sponsorships and direct contributions toward digital learning tools, instructional materials, the publication of the compendium and the awards programme.
The National President of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, is expected to chair the summit, while Dr. Mariya Bunkure will serve as Special Guest of Honour.
Other expected guests include Ireti Kingibe, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Adedayo Laniyi.
