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 a summit in Abuja.
The Executive Director of CEEO Nigeria, Mr Davidcrown Oyebisi, said this while briefing journalists on Monday ahead of the event scheduled for June 10.
The summit, themed “Empowering Women Social Entrepreneurs in Basic and Senior Secondary Education: Driving Policy Influence, Access to Finance and Institutional Support,” will hold by 10 am at Merit House, Abuja.
The CEEO director said the focus of the summit was to attract massive investment in the future of education by supporting women-led schools serving some of the nation’s most vulnerable learners. Oyebisi said the event would recognise women who had invested resources, expertise and commitment in establishing and sustaining schools in low-income and underserved communities nationwide.
According to him, the summit aims to attract increased investment in education by supporting women-led schools serving some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners.
He said the gathering would 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.
“The event is designed to document how women-led investments are expanding access to quality education for thousands of Nigerian children and build strategic partnerships,” he said.
Oyebisi said a major highlight of the summit would be the unveiling of a 200-page compendium documenting the stories of 131 women education entrepreneurs.
According to him, the publication captures the achievements, challenges, innovations and contributions of women-led schools expanding educational opportunities for thousands of children across the country.
He said the compendium would serve as advocacy material to encourage policymakers, financiers and development partners to channel more resources into women-led educational enterprises.
“The publication is intended to make visible the scale of women’s investment in education, which often goes unrecorded in national education statistics,” he said.
Oyebisi added that the summit would feature plenary sessions and policy dialogues on improving access to finance for women investors in education.
He said discussions would focus on credit facilities, grants, partnership models and other mechanisms capable of strengthening the sustainability of women-led educational institutions.
According to him, digital learning and innovation would also feature prominently, including discussions on technology-driven interventions and the proposed 131 iPads Project.
He said the initiative was aimed at strengthening teaching and learning outcomes through improved access to digital tools and educational resources.
Oyebisi said special awards would be presented to women change-makers, public officials, development partners, corporate organisations and philanthropists supporting women-led schools.
He 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.
He said support would also be required for the publication of the compendium and the awards programme designed to celebrate women’s contributions to education.
According to him, 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
