Nigeria is set to host the inaugural National Inclusion Conference 2026 (NIC 2026), a historic national platform dedicated to advancing inclusive education, neurodiversity awareness and universal access to learning opportunities across the country.
According to Chief Executive Officer, Seedar Group, Seyi Ajadi, the conference is being organised by the International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP), based in London and present in 138 countries worldwide, in partnership with Golden Links Educational Consultants, an education-focused organisation operating in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
NIC 2026 is expected to convene policymakers, education leaders, school owners, teachers, parents, therapists, development partners and international inclusion experts in a coordinated effort to strengthen Nigeria’s response to learning differences and disability inclusion.
With the theme Embedding Inclusive Excellence: Supporting Neurodiverse Learners in Every Classroom, the conference is designed as both an advocacy platform and a practical intervention aimed at transforming how inclusive education is understood and delivered in Nigeria.
Across the country, children with neurodivergent conditions and disabilities continue to face significant barriers, including stigma, delayed diagnosis, lack of adequate classroom support, and limited teacher preparedness. In many communities, neurodivergence is still misunderstood, while families often struggle with denial, emotional distress and limited access to early intervention systems.
Educators also face structural constraints, including overcrowded classrooms, limited training in inclusive pedagogy, and gaps between education policy and classroom implementation. NIC 2026 seeks to address these realities by bridging the gap between awareness and actionable solutions.
The conference will adopt a broad, human-centred and neuro-affirming approach to inclusion, covering not only neurodiversity such as Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia, but also physical, sensory and speech-related disabilities. This reflects a commitment to universal inclusion and the principle of removing all barriers that limit learning.
NIC 2026 will run across seven strategic tracks, including understanding learning differences, inclusive classroom practice, assessment and progression, leadership and whole-school inclusion, parent and partnership engagement, policy and national impact, and resources for learners.
The programme will feature expert-led sessions, practical workshops, stakeholder dialogues and case-based learning aimed at equipping schools and education systems with implementable inclusive strategies. It will also highlight success stories of neurodivergent individuals in Nigeria, promote low-cost inclusive learning tools, and encourage collaboration between families, educators and policymakers.
A key focus of the conference is shifting the national conversation from stigma to understanding, and from awareness to structured action, while also creating space for parents and adults who may be identifying neurodivergent traits in themselves later in life.
Speaking on the vision behind the conference, the Convener, Angelina Ikeako, said NIC 2026 represents a turning point in how Nigeria approaches inclusion in education.
“NIC 2026 is not just a conference; it is a national call to action. We are creating a space where inclusion is not theoretical, but practical, human-centred and transformative. Every child deserves to be seen, supported and given the tools to thrive, and this is the conversation we are bringing to the forefront.”
Organisers describe NIC 2026 as more than an event, positioning it as a national movement aimed at reshaping education systems and ensuring that every learner, regardless of ability or background, is supported to reach their full potential. Registration for the conference is now open
The National Inclusion Conference 2026 (NIC 2026) is Nigeria’s first dedicated conference on inclusive education and neurodiversity, designed to promote systemic change in teaching, learning, and education policy.
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