A Coalition of education experts, inclusion advocates and international practitioners has called for urgent systemic reforms to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind in learning, especially neurodiverse learners and children with disabilities.

The call was made during a media briefing held at The Learning Place, Lekki, Lagos, ahead of the upcoming National Inclusion Conference, billed to hold between May 29 and 30, 2026, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Representatives of the International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP), United Kingdom (UK)-based consultants, educators, and school leaders, who spoke at the event, emphasised that inclusion should move beyond policy discussions into practical implementation across Nigerian schools.

According to the President of IFIP, Daniel Sobels, the conference aims to bring together education stakeholders from Nigeria and across the world to share best practices in inclusive education.

He said that inclusion covers a broad spectrum of learners, including children with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, mental health challenges, social disadvantages, and even gifted learners who often lack opportunities to thrive.

“The aim of this conference is not only to celebrate the good work already happening in Nigeria, but to move inclusion from isolated efforts to a nationwide movement,” he said.

He noted that IFIP had partnered with global bodies, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the G20, to host similar educational events in countries, including Botswana, Zambia, Papua New Guinea, and Uruguay.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Goldenlinks Educational Consultant, Angelina Ikeako, described the conference as a platform for transformation, advocacy, awareness, and capacity building.

She said many neurodiverse learners remain in classrooms without receiving the support and accommodations needed to succeed academically.

Ikeako, therefore, called for a “360-degree approach,” involving policymakers, educators, parents, and school leaders to create meaningful and sustainable change in Nigeria’s education system.

She, however, commended schools already practising inclusion, particularly The Learning Place, which operates a fully inclusive autistic centre.

Executive Director of The Learning Place, Bolanle Adewale, described inclusion as a fundamental human right backed by the United Nations (UN).

She said that every child could learn when provided with the right environment, support systems, and teaching methods.

The stakeholders stressed the importance of capacity building for teachers, differentiated learning approaches, emotional support, and the use of inclusive teaching strategies, such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

They agreed that inclusion must go beyond policy statements and become a practical reality through training, funding, collaboration, and curriculum reforms.