FG Honours Outstanding Teachers, Schools .... Says Over 3,000 Recruitment Nears Completion

Dr. Maruf Tuni Alausa
Honourable Minister of Education 

"Teachers, among the most important people in society. They shape character, prepare citizens for the future and contribute significantly to national development." Dr. Mauruf Tunji Alausa, Education Minister.

.... Says "the recognition of outstanding teachers and schools demonstrated the Federal Government’s appreciation of the invaluable role educators play in building the nation".

The Federal Government has honoured outstanding teachers, school administrators and schools for excellence, professionalism and innovation, even as it disclosed that the recruitment and absorption of more than 3,000 teachers who have served for years in schools is nearing completion.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Enitan, disclosed this yesterday at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration and President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards.

Enitan said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, recognised education and human capital development as critical to national transformation.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to professionalise teaching, including a dedicated pathway towards making the profession certified and licensed.

The awards, which formed a major highlight of the celebration, recognised teachers, administrators and schools that demonstrated excellence, professionalism, innovation and commitment to improving learning outcomes across public and private schools.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr. Mauruf Tunji Alausa, CON, described teachers as among the most important people in society, stressing that they shape character, prepare citizens for the future and contribute significantly to national development.

Alausa said the recognition of outstanding teachers and schools demonstrated the Federal Government’s appreciation of the invaluable role educators play in building the nation.

He commended President Tinubu for his commitment to education and the Nigerian child, saying the President’s support had enabled the ministry to pursue reforms that placed teachers and learners at the centre of national development.

According to him, every doctor, scientist, entertainer, public servant and other professional passes through the hands of a teacher, making teaching one of the most consequential responsibilities in society.

The minister, however, stressed that appreciation of teachers must go beyond words and translate into concrete support through clear professional standards, career development opportunities, appropriate resources and decent working conditions.

He also said technology and artificial intelligence were transforming education but could not diminish the importance of teachers.

Alausa maintained that teachers’ judgement, encouragement, compassion and professional expertise would remain indispensable despite changes in the way education is delivered.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving learning environments, strengthening education systems, providing reliable data for decision-making and advancing the professionalisation and continuous development of teachers.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, said transforming the teaching profession was essential to the future of education in Nigeria and Africa.

She noted that teachers had continued to demonstrate resilience despite inadequate resources and limited professional development opportunities.

She called for sustained investment in continuous professional development, including digital literacy, innovative pedagogy and culturally relevant teaching methods.

The minister also advocated improved welfare and motivation for teachers through competitive remuneration, healthcare benefits, housing support and recognition.

She urged stakeholders to ensure that technology and AI complemented rather than replaced teachers, while encouraging collaboration and peer learning among educators across African countries.

Sai’d Ahmad said transformation should not be treated as a one-day event but as a sustained movement requiring collective commitment and investment.

Also speaking, the President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, called for concrete action to improve teachers’ remuneration, welfare, working conditions, recruitment, professional development and safety.

He raised concerns over stagnation, promotion arrears, employment backlogs and other issues affecting teachers’ morale and productivity.

Amba urged the government and stakeholders to move from celebration to action and from recognition to sustained investment.

He said if Nigeria wanted better schools and innovative learners, teachers must be empowered with the conditions, skills and resources required to perform effectively.

In a joint message, the International Labour Organisation, UNESCO and Education International called for well-prepared, supported and empowered teachers, stressing that every learner deserved access to quality teaching.

The organisations noted that 60 years after the adoption of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, its principles remained relevant to the changing realities of education.

They called for quality initial teacher education, continuous professional learning, safe and supportive working environments and respect for teachers’ professional judgement.

They also urged governments to give teachers a meaningful voice in education policymaking, particularly as education systems grapple with artificial intelligence, climate change, conflict, displacement and persistent inequalities.

Plan International Nigeria similarly commended Nigerian teachers for their contribution to education and child development, noting that educators often played critical roles beyond the classroom, including identifying children in need of protection or additional support.

The organisation stressed that technology and AI could support education but could not replace the human relationship at the heart of teaching and learning.

Meanwhile, the 2026 President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards produced winners across various categories.

Gloria Nkolika Odionu of Awada Primary School IV, Obosi, emerged Overall Best Administrator, while Mary Oluwaseun Adebayo of Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School Senior, Obantoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was named Overall Best Teacher.

Federal Government College, Otobi, won the Overall Best School award.

Other major winners included Agartha Chika Oforjindu of Urban Boy Secondary School, Onitsha, as Best Public Junior Secondary School Administrator; Oluwatoyin Ashaye of Remo Secondary School Senior, Sagamu, as Best Public Senior Secondary School Administrator; and Abraham Nnaluka Ngobiri of Federal Government College, Enugu, as Best Federal Unity College Teacher.

Ogechukwu Jacinta Ifeajekwu of Divine Rays British Secondary School, Obosi, won Best Private Junior Secondary School Teacher, while Divine Rays British Secondary School emerged Best Private Junior Secondary School.

Austica Memorial College, Nanka, won Best Private Senior Secondary School, while Handmaids Infant Jesus Nursery and Basic School, Awka, emerged Best Private Primary School.

Community Primary School, Mile 2, Abeokuta, won Best Public Primary School, while Peace Amarachi Ohanuka of Ideke Community Primary School, Odekpe, emerged Best Public Primary School Teacher.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, was also honoured with the Best Governor on Education Award for his contribution to the education sector.

The Federal Ministry of Education congratulated the award recipients and urged them to remain exemplary ambassadors of the teaching profession, while appreciating Nigerian teachers for their dedication and contribution to national development.