Green Pastures Kiddies Foundation Inaugural Summit: 'The Child Impact Summit,' Unveils Vocational Academy

The sun had barely risen over the bustling city of Lagos on July 9, 2026, when stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, the civil service, the private sector, and the education community gathered at a landmark event. For 20 years, Green Pastures Kiddies Foundation (GPK) has been a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerian children. Founded by Tolulope Shodunke at the tender age of 23, GPK has grown into a formidable organisation focused on the welfare and development of children in underserved communities across Nigeria. The Child Impact Summit, themed Closing The Gaps: Strengthening Systems For Better Outcomes, was evidence of the foundation's unwavering commitment to bridging the gaps in the Nigerian education system.

As we gathered in Lagos, the harsh realities of the Nigerian education system stared us in the face. Prof Akin Akinpelu, Founder and CEO of Akin Akinpelu Learning & Development (AALD), delivered a keynote address that shook us to our core. He posited that lasting transformation occurs at three levels: behaviour, system, and mental model. Change must affect behaviour first, then the system or structure sponsoring that behaviour, and ultimately the underlying mental model shaping both. Unfortunately, many interventions in Nigeria's education sector fail because they target behaviour alone, donations, one-off trainings, awareness campaigns, without addressing the structures or mindsets that produced the problem in the first place.

The place of technology in Nigerian classrooms also came under scrutiny. Contributors and panelists noted that teachers are not being sufficiently trained to adapt to new teaching methods or the growing use of Artificial Intelligence in learning, while curricula in many schools remain outdated and disconnected from current realities. This is a stark reminder of the disconnect between the education system and the rapidly changing world we live in.

The Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr Tomi Coker, linked classroom outcomes to earlier, often overlooked stages of a child's development. She spoke extensively on how nutrition, maternal welfare, and health system policies shape a child's development long before that child gets to school. Her position was that strengthening the systems around a child's health and a mother's welfare is as central to educational outcomes as reforming the classroom itself. This is a critical insight that cannot be overstated.

In a significant development, the Child Impact Summit unveiled a vocational academy, a bold step towards bridging the gaps in the Nigerian education system. This is evidence of the foundation's commitment to providing holistic education that addresses the needs of children in underserved communities. The vocational academy is a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerian children who have been denied access to quality education.

• Green Pastures Kiddies Foundation (GPK) was founded 20 years ago by Tolulope Shodunke at the age of 23.
• The Child Impact Summit was held on July 9, 2026, to mark GPK's 20th anniversary.
• The summit featured keynote addresses, panel sessions, and a fireside chat examining the state of the Nigerian child and the structures meant to nurture him or her for productivity.
• Prof Akin Akinpelu delivered a keynote address that highlighted the need for lasting transformation in the Nigerian education system.
• The Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr Tomi Coker, linked classroom outcomes to earlier stages of a child's development.

As we reflect on the Child Impact Summit, it is clear that a new era has dawned for Nigerian education. The unveiling of the vocational academy is a bold step towards bridging the gaps in the system. It is evidence of the foundation's commitment to providing holistic education that addresses the needs of children in underserved communities. As we move forward, it is essential that we prioritize the welfare and development of children in Nigeria. By doing so, we can create a brighter future for generations to come.