Women-led schools and education enterprises are set to receive increased attention as stakeholders gather in Abuja for the 2026 Women-Led Education and Social Enterprise Impact Summit.

The summit, organised by the Centre for Educational Empowerment and Orientation (CEEO Nigeria) in collaboration with the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), aims to highlight the important role women entrepreneurs play in expanding access to education across Nigeria, particularly in underserved communities.

The event will spotlight 131 women education entrepreneurs whose schools and educational initiatives have positively impacted learning opportunities for children in different parts of the country. Policymakers, development partners, financial institutions, corporate organisations, and education stakeholders are expected to participate in discussions focused on strengthening support for women-led educational enterprises.

Speaking ahead of the summit, the Executive Director of CEEO Nigeria, Davidcrown Oyebisi, explained that the programme seeks to attract investment, policy support, and institutional backing for women who have successfully established and sustained schools despite numerous financial and operational challenges.

The summit, themed “Empowering Women Social Entrepreneurs in Basic and Senior Secondary Education: Driving Policy Influence, Access to Finance and Institutional Support,” will emphasize the need for greater recognition and support for women who are helping to improve access to quality education across Nigeria.

According to Oyebisi, many women-led schools are making significant contributions to educational development, especially in low-income and underserved communities where access to quality learning opportunities remains limited.

A major highlight of the event will be the launch of a 200-page compendium documenting the experiences, achievements, innovations, and challenges of 131 women social entrepreneurs operating in basic and senior secondary education. Organisers believe the publication will serve as a valuable advocacy resource, providing evidence of the substantial investments women are making in Nigeria’s education sector.

The summit is also expected to feature discussions on funding opportunities, grants, credit facilities, institutional support systems, and partnership models that can improve the sustainability of women-led schools.

Technology and digital learning will form another key area of discussion, including the proposed 131 iPads Project, which aims to enhance teaching and learning through the provision of digital learning tools.

Several distinguished female leaders and policymakers are expected to attend the summit, including leaders from government, education, and women development organisations. Awards will also be presented to women education entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in recognition of their contributions to educational growth and development.

Organisers have called on governments, financial institutions, development agencies, foundations, and private-sector organisations to partner in supporting women-led educational initiatives through investments in learning resources, digital technologies, and educational development programmes.

Stakeholders hope the summit will lead to stronger policy support, increased access to funding, improved educational resources, and strategic partnerships that will help schools serving children in vulnerable and underserved communities continue to thrive.