Stakeholders harp on inclusive education at EduStake Conference 2026

Stakeholders harp on inclusive education at EduStake Conference 2026

Conference

By correspondent

Lagos, Jan. 22, 2026. The Regalo Hope Foundation (RHF) has called for stronger inclusive and collaborative approaches to education to reinforce shared responsibility for empowering learners across schools, institutions, and communities

The Founder of the organisation, Dr Chinenye Onuorah, and some other participants made the call on Thursday at the EduStake Conference 2026 in Lagos.

The conference had the theme: ‘Inclusive and Empowered Education’.

It attracted education stakeholders including, the General Manager of the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, students, teachers and parents.

Onuorah said that inclusive education was not a destination, but a continuous commitment requiring sustained courage, collaboration and consistency.

She said that the annual conference which began in 2019 had grown into a collaborative space where educators, administrators, policymakers and advocates would share views.

She said that inclusive participation would strengthen education systems and improve outcomes for learners across diverse communities.

According to her, panel sessions were designed to move participants beyond theory into practical, context-aware action that translates access, equity, and empowerment into real classroom and community-level outcomes.

She celebrated graduates of the first Teachers’ Leadership Academy Associates, saying they had been equipped to lead, mentor others, influence policies, and shape inclusive learning environments with empathy and professional integrity.

In his keynote address, Mr Samuel James, Executive Director of Seams Deaf-Pro Foundation, said that collaboration among teachers, parents, governments and communities was necessary for education development.

He said that such collaboration would help to create an enabling environment for every child to thrive irrespective of challenges.

He said:“Diversity drives progress. Education must be human-centered and responsive, embracing visual thinkers, creative minds and differently-abled learners to transform untapped potential into recognised brilliance.

“Impact requires listening, shared ownership, and action.

“Teachers are nation-builders, students are possibilities, and collaboration is the strongest curriculum shaping the next generation.

“Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. Our systems must recognise and nurture all forms of potential,” he said.

According to him, inclusion is not adapting people to spaces but redesigning spaces so that everyone would belong from the onset.

Oyetunde-Lawal, one of the panelists’, shared her experience, identifying attitudinal barrier as a challenge to inclusivity in education.

She said, “To achieve inclusive and empowered education, we must collaborate.

“Overcoming attitudinal barriers and prioritising intentional planning and budgeting are essential for making meaningful, lasting educational opportunities for all.”

Another panelist, Mrs Christy Nosa-Ihaza, Proprietor, Super Minds Nursery and Primary School, advised parents to invest in their wards, including those with physical challenges, to help them to develop their potential.

“Parents should invest in their children, especially those with challenges, as every child has potential.

“Nurturing their abilities today ensures they grow into empowered and capable individuals tomorrow,” Nosa-Ihaza said.

Also, Ayodele Adekunle, a leadership expert, said that people should have the mindset of effecting positive changes in their environments .

The highlight of the event was giving of 2026 RHF Legends Award to Mrs Alice m Aniemeke, in recognition of her 25 years in the classroom.

Aniemeke was rewarded with N500,000 by RHF. Also, Princess Ashibuogwu won the RHF Heroes Award for Leadership.

The EduStake Conference 2026 also featured competitions for students on current affairs and spelling.