Nigeria has taken a significant step towards strengthening its education system with the presentation of a ₦50 million award to Taiwo Solanke, recognised as the nation’s best teacher at the Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026 in Abuja.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu said the award reflects the government’s determination to elevate the status of teachers and promote excellence across the education sector.
The summit, held at the State House Banquet Hall, was organised under the theme “Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability.”
Tinubu noted that teachers play a foundational role in shaping societies, describing them as essential to national growth and long-term development. She said her personal experience as an educator reinforced her belief that educational success depends on motivated and well-supported teachers.
Beyond the ₦50 million prize, Solanke also received additional honours, including a new vehicle donated by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and a furnished two-bedroom flat provided by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.
The First Lady reiterated the federal government’s commitment to education under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting sustained investment in teachers’ welfare, skills development and career progression.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced that 12 other exceptional teachers from basic and secondary schools across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones would each receive ₦25 million. He said the awardees were selected through a rigorous and transparent process involving nominations from all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Alausa also unveiled EduRevamp, a nationwide continuous professional development programme designed to modernise teacher training and link incentives to measurable performance rather than attendance.
He added that complementary initiatives include a strengthened digital platform for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, an expanded Accelerated Teacher Training Programme, and technology-driven projects such as the Ignite platform and Diaspora Bridge for STEMM education.
The minister stressed that the success of education reforms would ultimately be judged by their impact in classrooms and on learners’ lives, urging all stakeholders to prioritise results over rhetoric.
