Gift Habib
Stakeholders in the education sector have renewed calls for increased policy support, improved access to funding, and stronger institutional frameworks for women involved in social enterprise within basic and senior secondary education.
The call was made at the 2026 Women-Led Education and Social Enterprise Impact Summit held in Abuja on Wednesday, where government officials, education leaders, and development partners gathered to discuss the role of women in strengthening the education system.
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 in partnership with the National Council of Women Societies.
The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Bunkure, through the Permanent Secretary, Education, Joy Okeke, highlighted the importance of creating enabling structures that allow women educators and social entrepreneurs to thrive.
The minister described women as central contributors to innovation in education and broader social development.
“Empowering women social entrepreneurs brings innovative solutions to educational challenges, and their contributions can reshape our educational landscape,” she said.
Bunkure also stressed that improving women’s participation in education leadership was essential for national progress, adding that collaboration among stakeholders would help unlock greater impact in communities.
She further called for coordinated efforts to expand financing opportunities and institutional support systems across the sector.
“Together, we can create a robust framework that fosters growth and empowers women to make significant impacts in their communities,” she added.
She urged participants to strengthen partnerships and actively contribute to shaping policies that support inclusive education development.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Angela Ajala, reiterated the commission’s focus on advancing teacher education, gender balance, and innovation in learning systems.
Represented by a Deputy Director in the commission, Bode Oke, Ajala said women remain central to educational transformation and community development efforts across the country.
The ES stated, “NCCE recognises that education remains the most powerful tool for sustainable development, and women are at the heart of this transformation.”
She also noted that the summit served as a platform to elevate the voices of women driving change in the education space.
The CEEO Executive Director, Davidcrown Oyebisi, said many women operating private schools in underserved areas continue to face structural challenges despite their contributions to education delivery.
Oyebisi called for deliberate policy interventions and increased financial access to strengthen women-led schools.
“These women are not merely school owners; they are builders of the future, stabilisers of communities and protectors of the next generation.
“Supporting women-led schools is not charity; it is a strategic investment in nation-building,” he said.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, praised the initiative, noting its relevance to national development and community growth.
Represented by her Legislative Assistant, Nelson Alabi, Kingibe stated, “When we invest in women and educate our children, we build stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger nation.”
The NCWS, led by its National President, Princess Edna Azura, also commended the organisers for promoting women’s engagement in education and enterprise development.
She said such initiatives contribute to gender equity and inclusive economic growth.
The National Librarian of the National Library of Nigeria, Chinwe Anunobi, reaffirmed efforts to expand access to knowledge and literacy resources across the country.
Represented by Ifeoma Phyllis, she highlighted ongoing programmes aimed at improving reading culture and educational access, particularly among women and young people.
Dr Ayo Oladini, Federal and Out-of-School Adviser under the FCDO-PLANE Project, encouraged school owners to take advantage of government and financial sector support systems to strengthen education delivery.
The basic and secondary education system continues to face structural challenges, including infrastructure deficits, resource constraints, and disparities in teaching capacity across regions.
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