Special Foundation Expands Summer School Programme to Reach 40,000 Children Across Nigeria in 2026

As millions of Nigerian children prepare for the long school holiday, The Special Youth Leadership Foundation (TSF) is expanding its efforts to ensure that the break remains a period of growth, learning and opportunity for children in underserved communities.

The Foundation has announced the 2026 edition of its flagship Special Summer School, which will reach more than 40,000 children across 20 learning centres in 12 states, marking the largest edition of the programme since its launch in 2018.

Now in its ninth year, the Special Summer School has become one of Nigeria’s largest volunteer-led holiday education initiatives, transforming school holidays into opportunities for children to strengthen academic foundations, discover new interests and build the skills needed for the future.

Through the programme, children will participate in activities designed to improve literacy and numeracy, encourage creativity, develop leadership abilities and provide access to mentorship from volunteers and professionals. The initiative will also expose participants to vocational learning, entrepreneurship, creative arts, sports and personal development activities.

The 2026 edition introduces an expanded focus on **STEAM education — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics — reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to equipping children with the knowledge and skills required in an increasingly digital and innovation-driven world.

Participants will receive training in digital literacy, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving, alongside practical learning experiences aimed at helping them build confidence and explore future possibilities.

The announcement follows the success of the Foundation’s 2025 Special Summer School, which reached more than 24,500 children across 14 learning centres in nine states. Supported by hundreds of volunteers and corporate partners, the programme combined classroom learning with mentorship, vocational education, leadership development and creative activities.

Speaking on the expansion, the Founder of The Special Youth Leadership Foundation, Seyi Akinwale, said the programme represents a commitment to ensuring that children across Nigeria have access to opportunities that inspire learning and personal growth.

“This summer, we are making a deliberate commitment: to open our doors to tens of thousands of children across Nigeria and ensure that no child spends this holiday period without access to learning, mentorship, and the belief that their future is full of possibility.

“The Special Summer School is not a programme. It is a promise — that wherever a child is in Nigeria, whatever their circumstances, there is a community of people committed to investing in who they can become. Reaching 40,000 children across 20 centres in 12 states this year is not the ceiling of our ambition. It is a milestone on the way to it.”

Since its establishment in 2018, The Special Foundation has reached more than 62,000 children through education-focused initiatives, including scholarships for orphans and vulnerable children, mentorship programmes, leadership development, school infrastructure projects and the annual Special Summer School.

Driven by its vision of building Africa’s next generation of leaders through education, the Foundation continues to create pathways that expand access to learning, unlock potential and empower children to pursue brighter futures.

As preparations continue across all 20 learning centres, The Special Foundation is inviting volunteers, corporate organisations, development partners and members of the public to support the 2026 initiative and contribute to expanding educational opportunities for children across Nigeria.

The Special Youth Leadership Foundation is a privately funded social impact organisation focused on developing Africa’s next generation of leaders through education, mentorship and leadership opportunities.

The Foundation supports less privileged and gifted African children through initiatives including the Inspire Scholarship for orphans and vulnerable children, mentorship and leadership programmes, school construction projects and the annual Special Summer School.