Chinedu-Okoro: Visionary Leadership, Key to Educational Reform

Doris Chinedu-Okoro is the founder and CEO of the Evergreen Group of Schools, a network of educational institutions based in Enugu State. In this interview with Funmi Ogundare, the convener of the South-East Education Conference, explained how effective and transformational leadership can drive innovation, equity and lasting change in the education system. Excerpts:

What prompted the creation of the recent Southeast Educators’ Conference, and what has been its impact so far?

The South-East Educators’ Conference (SEEC) was born out of a clear and urgent need to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation in education across South-Eastern Nigeria. We saw that while many educators and school leaders were passionate and capable, they lacked access to global best practices, policy engagement platforms, and collaborative learning opportunities. SEEC was designed as a movement to empower educators, foster policy dialogue, and inspire transformation in classrooms and communities. Since its inception, the impact has been profound.
The conference has ignited a wave of renewed commitment among educators, inspired institutional improvements, and created a vibrant network of education stakeholders pushing the boundaries of what is possible in education in the South-East. Feedback from participants consistently shows that SEEC has become a hub of hope and actionable insight.

What inspired the theme ‘Advancing Education: Innovation, Leadership and Transformation’ for SEEC 2025?
The theme was inspired by the urgent need to reposition education in the southeast, and indeed across Africa, to meet the realities of the 21st century. We are witnessing a global shift in how knowledge is accessed, delivered, and applied. To stay relevant and effective, our educators must embrace innovation, cultivate strong leadership, and be willing to drive transformational change. This theme captures the essence of our collective responsibility to push beyond outdated systems and reimagine education for future generations.

What is the unique feature of this year’s conference?
SEEC 2025 is groundbreaking in both scope and scale. For the first time, we have intentionally created a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together educators, policymakers, school leaders, and innovators from within and outside the South-East. We also hosted more interactive, skills-based sessions, moving beyond inspiration to action. The calibre of speakers, the diversity of topics, and the actionable tools being offered were designed to leave every attendee equipped, not just inspired. SEEC 2025 isn’t just a conference, it’s a movement.

How did you select the speakers and facilitators for this year’s event?
Our speaker selection process was deliberate and values-driven. We sought out individuals who not only have a proven track record of excellence in education, leadership, or innovation but who also embody the values of collaboration, integrity, and real-world impact. We wanted facilitators who could speak from experience, practitioners, not just theorists. Many of our speakers have pioneered groundbreaking educational models or led transformative initiatives, making them ideal voices to shape the SEEC 2025 conversation.

What specific outcomes did you hope to achieve through SEEC 2025?
Our goal is threefold: First, to ignite a new level of professional awareness and aspiration among educators. We call it ‘Realising your worth’. Second, to catalyse partnerships that can drive innovation and policy change within our region. And third, to equip attendees with practical tools and strategies they can implement immediately within their schools and communities. We want every participant to leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear path toward transformation. We are confident these were all achieved at the conference.

What role do you envision SEEC playing to shape the future of education in Africa?
SEEC is designed to be more than an annual gathering; we envision it as a catalyst for systemic change. By fostering collaboration across borders and sectors, SEEC can help shape a unified, Africa-led agenda for education, one that reflects our unique challenges, leverages our untapped potential, and drives sustainable progress. We believe SEEC can become a continental benchmark for educational development, influencing not just practice, but policy.

What do you think are the most pressing challenges facing education in Nigeria today?
Several challenges come to mind, but the most pressing include; inequitable access to quality education, especially for children in underserved communities, poor teacher preparation and professional development, which directly affects classroom outcomes, outdated curricula that do not align with current realities or future needs, insufficient infrastructure and funding, and finally, the disconnect between education policy and implementation. These are deeply rooted challenges that require innovative and courageous leadership to overcome.

How do you think leadership can play a transformative role in the education sector?
Leadership is everything. When we have visionary leaders in classrooms, in school management, and at policy-making levels, transformation becomes inevitable. Effective leadership fosters innovation, accountability, and excellence. It sets the tone for values, inspires teachers and students alike, and creates an ecosystem where learning thrives. More importantly, transformational leadership prioritises equity and impact over politics and bureaucracy. If we fix leadership, we can fix education.

How can the private and public sectors better collaborate to improve education in the South-East?
True transformation in education requires a synergy between the private and public sectors. First, collaboration must begin with a shared vision, a collective agreement that every child deserves quality education, regardless of where they are or what school they attend. The government can create frameworks that allow private schools to access capacity-building programmes, infrastructural support, and public grants, while private schools can offer their expertise in innovation, pedagogy, and community engagement. Regular stakeholder meetings, public-private task forces, and policy co-creation initiatives will go a long way in ensuring that policies are not just made for schools, but with them. Together, we can build a system that is not only equitable but also sustainable and forward-thinking.

You once advocated for reduced taxes and better infrastructure for private schools. What specific policy changes would you like to see?
Yes, and that advocacy remains relevant. One key policy change would be the classification of private schools, especially low- and mid-income schools as social service providers, not profit-making enterprises. This would allow for tax exemptions or significantly reduced levies, freeing up more funds to reinvest in teacher development, student resources, and school infrastructure.
I would also like to see legislation that enables private schools to access government-sponsored infrastructural upgrades such as road repairs, power supply support, and access to technology grants. Another critical area is simplified regulatory processes, making it easier for schools to register, renew licenses, and access training programmes without the usual bureaucratic bottlenecks. These changes would create an enabling environment where private schools can thrive and continue to serve as strong partners in national development.