…Teachers are ‘quiet architects’ of Nigeria’s future – First Lady Oluremi Tinubu
The Federal Government on Tuesday provided handsome cash rewards to some outstanding teachers across the country, rendering nugatory the common saying that “a teacher’s reward is in heaven”.
The overall Best Teacher of the Year nationwide, Mr Francis Taiwo Solanke, received a cheque of ₦50 million, while twelve other awardees smiled home with ₦25 million each, in recognition of their outstanding performance and impact in their various schools and across their states.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, led other top government functionaries to present the awards to the recipients at the maiden edition of the National Teachers’ Summit 2026, held on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The summit had the theme, “Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability”.
The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, who announced the awardees, said the awards were more than a reward, but a national signal that teaching is a noble, respected and valued profession in Nigeria.
At the momentous event, the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, donated a car to Mr Solanke for emerging as the overall best teacher in Nigeria, while his Ogun State counterpart, Governor Dapo Abiodun, donated a house to the overall winner for consistently doing the state proud.
Francis Solanke, an educator who teaches at Ansar-ud-Deen Primary School, Ogun State, was also recognised as the best teacher in the primary school category for Ogun State in 2025.
Speaking, the wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, described teachers as the quiet architects of great nations, shaping young minds, instilling values and nurturing hope.
She maintained that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, education remains an essential pillar of national development, with a clear recognition that sustainable development begins with quality teaching and learning.
She affirmed the commitment of the administration to sustained investment in teachers’ welfare, professional development and the skills needed to prepare learners for a rapidly changing world.
“Meaningful education and national progress can only be achieved when teachers are adequately equipped, motivated and supported. As an educationist and lifelong teacher, I understand first-hand the demands of teaching and the enduring impact of teachers in shaping societies.
“My work in supporting education and my regard for teachers are a result of my experience as a former classroom teacher,” she said.
Tinubu congratulated the Federal Ministry of Education on the launch of the EduRevamp Portal, an initiative that would ensure continuous professional development for teachers, saying the framework of the initiative would no doubt improve learning outcomes across the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, on his part, reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to prioritise issues of teachers’ welfare and professional development, saying, “Nigerian teachers are no longer an afterthought; they are the strategy”.
He expressed the determination of the current administration of President Tinubu to restore pride in the teaching profession, noting that the theme of the summit reflects the value placed on teachers in the country. “The teaching profession matters, and the future of our country begins in the classroom,” he said.
Alausa added: “At the heart of this year’s summit is a transparent, merit-driven process to identify, celebrate and reward excellence in teaching.
“Three outstanding teachers were nominated from each of the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory at both the basic and senior secondary levels. Following a rigorous and independent selection process, twelve exceptional teachers, six from basic education and six from senior secondary education, emerged as national finalists.
“These educators represent the very best of the profession: professionalism, integrity, innovation and unwavering commitment to learners. In recognition of their impact, each of the twelve awardees will receive ₦25 million, while the overall Best Teacher of the Year will receive ₦50 million.
“Empowering teachers means continuous professional development that reflects our realities. It means dignity in service, clarity in career progression and fairness in reward. In pursuit of this vision, today marks another major milestone with the launch of EduRevamp.”
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, said the National Teachers’ Summit is a strategic platform designed to strengthen the teaching profession and improve learning outcomes across the country. She added that the core purpose is to bring together teachers, policymakers, education leaders, regulators, unions, development partners and private sector actors to jointly address challenges and advance reforms in the education sector.
“This summit provides a critical platform for honest dialogue, shared learning and collective action. It is an opportunity to move beyond challenges and focus on practical, scalable solutions that strengthen teaching and learning across all levels of education in Nigeria,” she stated.
The President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Titus Amba, while commending the Federal Ministry of Education for organising the summit and rewarding teachers, lauded the Federal Government for restoring the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to the government funding list.