…CEEO, NCWS Launch Initiative to Support Women Education Entrepreneurs
By Joseph Erunke, Abuja
A major initiative aimed at strengthening women-led investments in education is set to take centre stage in Abuja as the 2026 Women-Led Education and Social Enterprise Impact Summit prepares to spotlight 131 women education entrepreneurs whose schools are contributing to learning opportunities in communities across Nigeria.
The summit, organised by the Centre for Educational Empowerment and Orientation (CEEO Nigeria) in partnership with the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), will bring together policymakers, development partners, financiers, corporate leaders and education stakeholders to explore ways of supporting women driving educational development at the grassroots.
Speaking ahead of the event scheduled for June 10 in Abuja, CEEO Executive Director, Davidcrown Oyebisi, said the summit is designed to attract investment, policy support and institutional backing for women who have established and sustained schools despite significant financial and operational challenges.
The summit is themed: “Empowering Women Social Entrepreneurs in Basic and Senior Secondary Education: Driving Policy Influence, Access to Finance and Institutional Support.”
According to Oyebisi, the initiative seeks to highlight the contributions of women who have invested in expanding educational opportunities, particularly in underserved and low-income communities.
“Investing in women-led education is investing in the nation’s most vulnerable learners. These women are making remarkable contributions that deserve recognition, support and greater visibility,” he said.
He noted that the summit would showcase the role of women-led schools in improving access to education and learning outcomes for children across the country.
A key feature of the event will be the unveiling of a 200-page compendium documenting the experiences and contributions of 131 women social entrepreneurs in basic and senior secondary education.
The publication highlights their achievements, innovations, challenges and contributions to educational development in Nigeria.
Oyebisi said the compendium is expected to serve as an advocacy tool for policymakers, development partners and financiers by providing insight into the scale of private investment being made by women in the education sector.
“This publication will provide evidence of the enormous contributions women are making to education and strengthen calls for increased support, funding and policy attention,” he said.
The summit is expected to attract prominent female leaders and policymakers from across the country.
Among those expected are the National President of NCWS, Princess Edna D. D. Azura, who will chair the event; the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Bunkure, as Special Guest of Honour; Senator Ireti Kingibe; Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; and the Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Adedayo Laniyi.
Organisers said discussions will focus on addressing challenges facing women-led schools, particularly access to finance.
Stakeholders are expected to examine funding models, grants, credit facilities, institutional support mechanisms and partnership opportunities that could help strengthen the sustainability of schools operating in vulnerable communities.
The summit will also explore the role of technology in education, including the proposed 131 iPads Project, which is designed to support digital learning and enhance educational delivery.
In addition, awards will be presented to women education entrepreneurs and other stakeholders, including public officials, development partners, corporate organisations and philanthropists, in recognition of their contributions to educational development.
Organisers have called on governments, financial institutions, development agencies, foundations and private-sector organisations to support the initiative through partnerships focused on digital learning tools, instructional materials and educational development programmes.
According to Oyebisi, the expected outcomes include stronger policy support for women-led educational enterprises, improved access to funding, enhanced learning resources and strategic partnerships to support schools serving children in underserved communities.
