The Federal Government, in collaboration with state governors, has rewarded outstanding performance in the education sector with one of the most generous recognitions ever accorded to a Nigerian teacher, as the country’s Overall Best Teacher received ₦50 million in cash, a brand-new car and a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment.
The recognition took place at the Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026, held at the State House in Abuja, where policymakers, education stakeholders and teachers from across the country gathered to reaffirm the central role of teachers in national development. The summit was organised under the theme, “Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability.”
At the centre of the event was Taiwo Solanke, who emerged as the Overall Best Teacher in Nigeria after a nationwide selection process that assessed classroom impact, innovation, dedication to duty and measurable learning outcomes. In recognition of his achievement, the Federal Government awarded him ₦50 million as a direct cash prize, describing the gesture as part of renewed efforts to restore dignity and motivation to the teaching profession.
Beyond the federal award, Solanke also received additional honours from state governments. Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, presented him with a brand-new car, while Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, gifted him a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment. The combined rewards were widely seen as a strong signal of growing political commitment to teacher welfare and professional excellence.
Speaking at the summit, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, emphasised that teachers remain the foundation of every successful society. Drawing from her personal experience as a former classroom teacher, she described educators as the quiet builders of nations whose influence often goes unnoticed despite shaping future leaders, professionals and innovators. She stressed that recognising and rewarding teachers was not merely symbolic, but essential to strengthening the country’s education system.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the awards were the result of a transparent, merit-based process that received nominations from all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. According to him, meaningful education reform cannot occur without motivated teachers who are equipped, valued and supported. He added that the administration is committed to shifting attention from policy rhetoric to practical investments that directly improve classroom delivery.
In addition to the overall winner, 12 other teachers drawn from the six geopolitical zones were also honoured for exceptional performance. Each of them received ₦25 million in recognition of their contributions to basic and secondary education, further underscoring the government’s intention to promote excellence across all regions of the country.
The summit also served as a platform for unveiling new initiatives aimed at strengthening teacher capacity nationwide. One of the key announcements was the launch of the EduRevamp Portal, a national continuous professional development platform designed to move teacher training away from routine attendance-based programmes toward performance-driven, outcome-focused development. The platform is expected to help teachers upgrade skills, track progress and improve classroom effectiveness.
Officials also highlighted complementary reforms, including expanded digital training for teachers, improved access to instructional technology, and strengthened regulatory systems under the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. These measures, according to the Ministry of Education, are intended to ensure that professional development translates into measurable improvements in teaching quality and student learning outcomes.
As the event concluded, government officials reiterated that education remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s long-term development agenda. They noted that rewarding excellence in teaching is not only about individual recognition but also about sending a clear message that the nation values competence, dedication and integrity in the classroom.
The Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026 was widely described as both a celebration of individual achievement and a strategic step toward repositioning teaching as a respected and attractive profession, capable of driving sustainable national growth.
