L-R, UNICEF Chief of Education Nigeria, Vanessa Lee, Country Director British Council Nigeria, Donna McGowan, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad and Director English Programmes, Sub-Sahara Africa, British Council, Julian Parry, during the Language in Education International Conference 2025 organised by British Council in Abuja.
The British Council has collaborated with the Federal Government and development partners to promote inclusive, equitable, and transformative education across Nigeria. This initiative was highlighted at the Language in Education International Conference 2025, held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The conference, themed “Language, Education and Inclusion: Empowering Every Learner,” brought together policymakers, educators, researchers, and development partners to discuss the central role of language in advancing inclusive and equitable education. Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, emphasized the importance of effective partnership among stakeholders to ensure quality education for all Nigerian children.
The British Council’s Strengthening Teacher English Proficiency (STEP) programme was recognized for its significant strides in enhancing teachers’ capabilities. The conference explored key areas, including language and inclusive education, foundational learning and teaching, effective bilingual practices, and teacher training.
John Simpson, Senior Advisor of the English and School Education Programme at the British Council, stated, “Language is more than a medium of education; it is also the foundation of inclusion. This conference is an opportunity to reimagine education systems that reflect Africa’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity and ensure every child has the chance to succeed.”
The conference featured plenary sessions, interactive workshops, keynote addresses, and panel discussions, providing a platform for sharing multidimensional evidence, case studies, and practical strategies for building language-responsive education systems.
The event was organised in collaboration with UNICEF, Plan International, FCDO PLANE, Sightsavers, Save the Children, and Sterling One Foundation, and is part of the British Council’s efforts to drive innovation in English language assessment and education worldwide.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, working in more than 100 countries and territories to support peace and prosperity through education and cultural exchange.
