Abuja: The Centre for Educational Empowerment and Orientation (CEEO Nigeria), in partnership with the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), will spotlight 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, announced this while briefing journalists ahead of the event scheduled for June 10.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit, themed ‘Empowering Women Social Entrepreneurs in Basic and Senior Secondary Education: Driving Policy Influence, Access to Finance and Institutional Support,’ will be held at Merit House, Abuja. Oyebisi stated that the event would recognize women who have invested resources, expertise, and commitment in establishing and sustaining schools in low-income and underserved communities nationwide.
The summit aims to attract increased investment in education by supporting women-led schools serving some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners. It will provide a platform for governments, development agencies, financial institutions, foundations, corporate organisations, and philanthropists to support women-led educational institutions. “Investing in women-led education is investing in the nation’s most vulnerable learners,” Oyebisi emphasized.
A major highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of a 200-page compendium documenting the stories of 131 women education entrepreneurs. The publication captures the achievements, challenges, innovations, and contributions of women-led schools expanding educational opportunities for thousands of children across the country. Oyebisi noted that the compendium would serve as advocacy material to encourage policymakers, financiers, and development partners to channel more resources into women-led educational enterprises.
The summit will feature plenary sessions and policy dialogues on improving access to finance for women investors in education. Discussions will focus on credit facilities, grants, partnership models, and other mechanisms capable of strengthening the sustainability of women-led educational institutions. Digital learning and innovation will also feature prominently, including discussions on technology-driven interventions and the proposed 131 iPads Project aimed at strengthening teaching and learning outcomes through improved access to digital tools and educational resources.
Special awards will be presented to women change-makers, public officials, development partners, corporate organisations, and philanthropists supporting women-led schools. 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.
The CEEO director called on individuals and corporate organisations to support the initiative through sponsorships and direct contributions toward digital learning tools and instructional materials. Support will also be required for the publication of the compendium and the awards programme designed to celebrate women’s contributions to education.
The National President of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, will chair the summit, while Dr Mariya Bunkure will serve as Special Guest of Honour. Other expected guests include Sen. Ireti Kingibe, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Dr Adedayo Laniyi, Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.