Participants at the 2026 World Inclusion Conference will discuss support systems and areas of collaboration to advance government’s leave-no-child-behind policy and promote inclusive education.
Angelina Ikeako, Chief Executive Officer of Goldenlinks Educational Consultant and former National Executive Director of the National Inclusion Conference, made this known at a news conference on Monday in Lagos.
She said that the two-day conference billed to start on May 29 would focus on promoting excellence in inclusive education across Nigeria.
She said the event would have the theme: ‘Embedding Inclusive Excellence: Supporting Neurodiverse Learning in Every Class’.
The chief executive officer added that the conference would bring together educators, policymakers, school proprietors, parents, caregivers and other stakeholders.
“The National Inclusion Conference is more than a conference for us.
“It is about transformation, advocacy and ensuring that every child receives the support, interventions and accommodation needed to succeed,” Ikeako said.
According to her, many neurodiverse learners are excluded from quality education due to inadequate learning adjustments in spite of being enrolled in schools.
“It is easy to assume that because children are in school they are being educated, but without the right accommodation and interventions, many neurodiverse learners are simply in school for compliance rather than meaningful learning.”
Ikeako said that inclusion should extend beyond children with autism and dyslexia to accommodate children facing mental health, social and economic challenges, as well as gifted learners requiring specialised support.
She said that inclusion globally impacted about 20 per cent of the society and played a critical role in ensuring equitable educational opportunities and economic participation.
Mr Daniel Sobel, President of the International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners, said the conference would showcase innovative inclusion practices from Nigeria and across the world.
“We are trying to say publicly that inclusion is a top priority in Nigeria.
“This conference celebrates and supports the vision that no child should be left behind,” Sobel said.
He stressed the need for a nationwide coordinated approach that would strengthen knowledge and skills on inclusive education.
Sobel, who described himself as a former neurodiverse learner, said many children had continued to face stigma and misunderstanding because of learning differences.
“We need a systemic change. This conference is calling on policymakers, educators, school leaders and parents to ensure that no Nigerian child is disadvantaged,” he said.
In her remarks, Mrs Bolanle Adewale, Executive Director of the Learning Place Centre, described inclusive education as a fundamental human right supported by international conventions.
Adewale said that inclusive education would benefit both neurodiverse and neurotypical learners.
She called for adoption of evidence-based teaching approaches such as Universal Design for Learning and differentiated instruction.
According to her, every child can learn.
“What matters is the environment, structures and support systems provided to help each child to thrive.”
She said that building educators’ capacities remained essential to creating classrooms where every learner would feel valued and supported.
“The conference will provide practical strategies and help educators to understand how to implement inclusion effectively in their schools,” she said.
The Project Lead of the National Inclusion Conference, Oluwatosin Oladipo, urged government to strengthen policies, funding and teacher training for inclusive education.
According to her, supporting neurodivergent learners requires specialised teaching skills, professional development and access to appropriate learning tools.
“Government needs to believe in inclusion and support it through policies, funding and capacity building.
“Teachers and caregivers must be equipped with the skills needed to support neurodivergent children effectively.”
She added that sustained investment in educator training and caregiver support would help to create a more inclusive education system capable of meeting the needs of all learners.
