By Obasola Olatunde
The British Council has revealed that its International Language and Education Conference scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja will drive transformative education in the country.
Speaking at a pre conference briefing on Tuesday, Donna McGowan, Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria, said the two day event will bring together policymakers, educators, researchers, and development partners from Africa, South Asia, and the United Kingdom to foster collaboration and drive educational reforms.
“This conference is designed to catalyse education reforms and promote inclusive learning systems that reflect the realities and aspirations of learners,” McGowan said.
The British Council works closely with federal and state education agencies, including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), to strengthen teacher capacity and improve delivery of inclusive education nationwide.
McGowan highlighted Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, noting that over 500 local languages provide a unique opportunity to innovate in inclusive teaching and learning. She added that the conference aims to translate global and regional evidence into actionable policies for teachers, learners, and policymakers.
Key partners and sponsors supporting the event include UNICEF, Plan International (funded by the EU), FCDO, Sightsavers, Save the Children, and the Sterling Wong Foundation, with participation from countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and the UK.
Also speaking, Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for Sub Saharan Africa, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to empowering teachers, improving English proficiency, and ensuring equitable access to quality education across the continent.
The 2025 conference builds on over a decade of the Council’s inclusion focused policy dialogues and learning events in Nigeria and the wider African region, aiming to strengthen collaboration, policy innovation, and sustainable educational transformation.