Special Foundation targets 90,000 children in 2026 expansion drive

The Special Youth Leadership Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing educational equity and expanding access to quality learning opportunities for underserved children through its 2026 Thought Leadership Summit themed, “Leadership Rooted in Educational Equity.”

The summit convened beneficiaries, corporate leaders, development advocates, policymakers, and national stakeholders to examine the role of collective action in shaping Africa’s future through education. Central to the event was a beneficiary panel featuring young adults and pre-teens from across 21 states who shared personal stories highlighting the impact of sustained educational support and mentorship.

Also featured on the panel were neurodivergent children from the Dynamic For Care Center for Children with Special Needs, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity for every child regardless of background or circumstance.

The event received coverage from leading media organisations including Arise TV and Channels TV, further amplifying conversations around educational equity and social impact in Nigeria.

Delivering a goodwill message at the summit, former vice president Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stressed the importance of creating equal opportunities for children through education.

“True leadership – the kind that endures, the kind that transforms – must begin with a commitment to equity. Every child, regardless of where they were born or what their family earns, deserves the chance to discover who they are and what they are capable of,” he said.

The summit also featured opening remarks by advisory board member, Ifeoma Okpala Aina, while keynote addresses were delivered by the Foundation’s founder, Seyi Akinwale, and co-founder and advisory board member, Chukwuma Nwanze, CEO/MD of Credit Direct Limited.

Speaking on the Foundation’s next phase of growth, Akinwale disclosed that the organisation plans to impact more than 90,000 children in 2026 as part of its long-term target of reaching 500,000 children by 2030.

“Our ambition is unapologetically large. In 2026, we are targeting 90,000 children. Our Summer School expands to 20 centres. Our scholarship programme grows to 1,000 scholars. These are operational commitments and we will report on every one of them at next year’s summit,” he said.

Since its inception in 2018, the Foundation has reached over 62,623 children across 21 states in Nigeria, with more than 30,000 children impacted in 2025 alone.

According to the Foundation, its Inspire Scholarship Programme currently supports 619 scholars across 21 states, with 80 percent of beneficiaries identified as orphans and 56 percent as girls. The Foundation also noted that 98 percent of scholars have received continuous support for more than five years.

Its Special Summer School programme reached over 24,500 children across 14 centres in nine states in 2025 and is expected to expand to 20 centres across 14 states in 2026.

The Foundation also recognised several corporate and institutional partners for supporting educational access and youth development initiatives. These include Google, Macadams Baking Systems Nigeria Limited, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, Credit Direct Limited, Sterling One Foundation, Microsoft, Stanbic IBTC, and Sterling Bank.

Highlighting examples of partnership impact, the Foundation said its collaboration with Google exposed 30 students to technology pathways through an engagement at Google headquarters, while First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited supported the education of more than 100 children.

Stanbic IBTC and Sterling Bank were also recognised for supporting children through the Inspire Scholarship Programme.

The Foundation called on more corporate organisations, philanthropic institutions, and high-net-worth individuals to partner in expanding access to quality education and leadership development opportunities for underserved children across Nigeria.

The Special Youth Leadership Foundation is a privately funded social impact organisation focused on educational equity and youth leadership development through scholarship, mentorship, school support, and community-based learning initiatives.