ABUJA — Women educators and social entrepreneurs have called for stronger access to funding, policy support and institutional opportunities to enable them to contribute more effectively to Nigeria's education sector. The call was made at the 2026 Women-Led Education and Social Enterprise Impact Summit in Abuja. Participants discussed the role of women in strengthening basic and senior secondary education and urged policymakers to create an environment in which women-led education initiatives can grow. Women play significant roles across Nigeria's education system as teachers, school administrators, entrepreneurs, researchers and community leaders. Many women also operate education-focused social enterprises that provide learning materials, teacher support, training and other services. Access to finance remains a challenge for small and medium-sized education enterprises. Limited capital can prevent organisations from expanding programmes, purchasing equipment or reaching more communities. Financial institutions and development partners can help by creating funding products suited to education-focused enterprises. Policy support is equally important. Education entrepreneurs often have to navigate regulatory requirements, taxation and other administrative processes. Clear and predictable rules can make it easier for responsible organisations to operate and expand. Participants also called for stronger representation of women in education policymaking. Policies are more likely to respond to the experiences of different groups when decision-making processes include a broad range of voices. Women educators working directly with schools and communities can provide valuable information about challenges affecting students and teachers. Social enterprises can complement government programmes, particularly in areas where public resources are limited. Organisations may develop innovative approaches to teacher training, digital learning, literacy, school management or community engagement. Such initiatives can be tested and expanded when evidence shows that they are effective. However, innovation requires monitoring. Education programmes should be evaluated according to their effect on students rather than simply the number of activities conducted. Data can help determine whether interventions improve attendance, learning outcomes or teacher performance. Partnerships can also strengthen women-led initiatives. Government agencies, schools, universities and private companies can collaborate with social enterprises to expand successful programmes. Such partnerships may provide technical expertise, funding or access to communities. Education financing should also consider the particular challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Some women may have difficulty accessing conventional credit because of limited collateral or other financial barriers. Alternative financing mechanisms can help broaden participation. Capacity building is another important area. Women-led education organisations can benefit from training in financial management, monitoring, digital technology and organisational leadership. Strong management systems can improve sustainability and accountability. The summit reflects wider discussions about the role of women in Nigeria's economic and social development. Education is particularly important because women who lead successful education initiatives can influence the learning opportunities available to large numbers of children. Supporting women educators therefore has potential benefits beyond individual businesses. Stakeholders said stronger collaboration among government, financial institutions, development partners and education organisations would be necessary to unlock those opportunities. Greater access to finance and policy influence could help women-led education initiatives expand while contributing to improved learning and community development.