Country Chair, Trefoil Guild Nigeria
Dame Christie Toby: The Amazon of Inclusive Education and Nation-Builder
A distinguished educator, pioneering advocate for inclusive learning, and seasoned public servant, Dame Christie Toby has dedicated her life to breaking barriers—both in education and national service. Before founding the revolutionary Christie Toby Inclusive Education Centre (CTIEC) in 2008, she had already left an indelible mark as State Commissioner for Rivers State and Deputy Chief Commissioner Zone A, overseeing nine states in Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions. Her leadership extended to youth development as the former Chief Commissioner of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association, where she empowered generations of young girls. Today, she continues her legacy of service as the pioneer Country Chair for Trefoil Guild Nigeria, further solidifying her commitment to mentorship and community growth.
Driven by a vision that “no child should be excluded,” Dame Christie established CTIEC as Nigeria’s first privately run fully inclusive school, blending pupils with and without disabilities in a seamless, stigma-free environment. Under her leadership, the school has become a national model, proving that inclusion fosters empathy, skill (like sign language and Braille proficiency), and social cohesion. Beyond CTIEC, she runs five other institutions—including ABEC Secondary School, ABALC, and Mary Virginia Nursery and Primary School—providing quality, affordable education as an antidote to Nigeria’s systemic failures.
A woman of unshakable principle and innovation, Dame Christie’s career has been defined by defying limitations—whether battling bureaucratic hurdles as a government teacher or reshaping societal attitudes toward disability. Her mantra: “If the world doesn’t segregate, why should schools?” reflects her lifelong mission to unite, uplift, and educate. From the corridors of power to the classrooms of hope, her influence spans policy and grassroots impact.
Honored as a Dame of the Anglican Communion and celebrated as a ”strict but articulate”educator, Dame Christie Toby’s legacy is one of transformational leadership. She hasn’t just built schools—she’s built a more inclusive future, proving that true change begins when we refuse to leave anyone behind.
