Women leaders in the education sector have called for improved access to finance, stronger policy influence, and greater institutional support to enable women-led schools and social enterprises to thrive and contribute more effectively to national development.
The call was made on Wednesday at the 2026 Women-Led Education and Social Enterprise Impact Summit held in Abuja, where stakeholders stressed the critical role women play in expanding access to quality education and driving social change across Nigeria.
The summit, themed “Empowering Women Social Entrepreneurs in Basic and Senior Secondary Education: Driving Policy Influence, Access to Finance, and Institutional Support,” was organised by the Centre for Educational Empowerment and Orientation (CEEO) in collaboration with the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS).
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, urged stakeholders to create stronger support systems for women operating in the education sector. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, Mrs Joy Okeke, the minister described women as key drivers of educational innovation and community development.
According to her, empowering women social entrepreneurs is not only a matter of equity but a strategic necessity for sustainable development and national progress.
She noted that women-led initiatives continue to provide innovative solutions to educational challenges and have the potential to transform the country’s education landscape.
Mahmoud called for enhanced collaboration among policymakers, financial institutions, development partners and education stakeholders to strengthen policy frameworks and improve access to funding opportunities.
“Together, we can create a robust framework that fosters growth and empowers women to make significant impacts in their communities,” she said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr Angela Ajala, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to advancing teacher education, promoting gender inclusion, and encouraging innovation in teaching and learning.
Represented by Deputy Director Dr Bode Oke, Ajala said women continue to play indispensable roles as educators, mentors, entrepreneurs and agents of social change.
“Education remains the most powerful tool for sustainable development, and women are at the heart of this transformation,” she said, adding that empowering women in education would accelerate gender equity and inclusive growth.
The Founder of the Samuel Ele Foundation, Mrs Joy Ele-Asebe, commended the initiative and called for increased investment in education as a catalyst for national development.
Ele-Asebe disclosed that her foundation has awarded scholarships to more than 300 students and provided support to over 1,500 widows across Nigeria.
She urged governments, private organisations and development partners to prioritise education funding and support women-led initiatives.
The Executive Director of CEEO, Mr Davidcrown Oyebisi, highlighted the challenges confronting women proprietors of schools, particularly in underserved communities.
According to him, many women-led schools continue to provide quality education despite inadequate infrastructure, irregular income streams and limited institutional support.
“Supporting women-led schools is not charity; it is a strategic investment in nation-building,” Oyebisi said, stressing that such schools serve as pillars of community development and educational access.
The summit also received support from the Senator representing the FCT, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, who praised the initiative for empowering women and inspiring future generations.
Represented by her Legislative Assistant, Nelson Alabi, Kingibe said investing in women and education remains essential for building stronger families, communities and a more prosperous nation.
Similarly, the National President of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, said empowering women through education and social enterprise would strengthen gender equality and promote inclusive economic growth.
The National Librarian of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, represented by Assistant Director Ifeoma Phyllis, reaffirmed the National Library’s commitment to expanding access to knowledge, particularly for women, young people and vulnerable groups.
She noted that the library’s literacy and readership promotion programmes have continued to improve educational opportunities and foster a culture of reading across the country.
Meanwhile, Dr Ayo Oladini, Federal and Out-of-School Adviser for the FCDO-PLANE Project, encouraged school proprietors to engage with the Ministry of Education and explore financing opportunities available through financial institutions to support educational development.
Participants at the summit agreed that expanding access to finance, strengthening policy engagement and providing institutional support for women-led educational enterprises are crucial steps towards improving educational outcomes and fostering sustainable community development across Nigeria.
