Education Summit: Teachers are ‘quiet architects’ of Nigeria’s future – First Lady

• Governors vow teacher revival: Recruitment, Wages, Rewards to Boost Classrooms Nationwide

• Minister unveils N50m teacher prize, EduRevamp portal as 12 finalists emerge nationwide

• as Ogun teacher wins N50m, flat, car as overall best

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday hailed Nigerian teachers as the “quiet architects of great nations” while charging them to embrace innovation amid government pledges to revamp education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Delivering the keynote address at the National Teachers’ Summit 2026, themed “Empowering Teachers; Strengthening the Education System,” at the State House Conference Center, Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu emphasised that “meaningful educational and national progress can only be achieved when teachers are adequately equipped, motivated, and supported.”

As a former classroom teacher and educationist, she drew from personal experience to underscore teachers’ pivotal role. “Teachers are the quiet architects of great nations, shaping young minds, instilling values, and nurturing hope,” she declared, adding, “I understand firsthand the demands of teaching and the enduring impact of teachers in shaping societies.”
The First Lady commended the Federal Ministry of Education’s new “Edu Revamp Portal,” launched to drive continuous professional development. “I congratulate the Federal Ministry of Education on the launch of the ‘Edu Revamp Portal’, an initiative that will ensure continuous professional development for our teachers. The framework of this initiative will no doubt improve learning outcomes across the country. I say, well done,” she stated.
Highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s focus, she noted: “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, education remains an essential pillar of national development with a clear recognition that sustainable development begins with quality teaching and learning. The administration is committed to sustained investment in teachers’ welfare, professional development, and the skills needed to prepare learners for a rapidly changing world.”
Mrs. Tinubu praised teachers directly, urging resilience. “To my fellow teachers, I thank you for your hard work, commitment, and dedication. I charge you to continue to pursue excellence, embrace innovation, and uphold integrity as you shape the next generation of leaders.”
She also lauded Education Minister Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State Suwaiba Ahmad and their team for convening what she tagged as strategic event. “I am confident that the outcomes of this Summit will strengthen our education system.”
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, hailed teachers as “nation builders, character shapers, and custodians of our collective future”.
Represented by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, he stressed: “No education system can rise above the quality, motivation, professionalism, and welfare of its teachers.” Noting teachers serve over 70 million learners in urban, rural, conflict zones, riverine, and nomadic areas, he called empowerment “a strategic imperative for national development, social stability, and economic growth.”
He spotlighted state-level strides by the NGF, including large-scale teacher recruitment to fix shortages and pupil-teacher ratios, continuous professional development in literacy, numeracy, STEM, technical, and inclusive education, plus wage hikes with national minimum wage implementation, special salary structures, rural incentives, promotion reforms, arrears clearance, and performance rewards.
“Governors have taken deliberate steps to confront… the erosion of teacher morale and professional dignity,” he said. “These efforts reflect a shared understanding that meaningful education reform begins with placing qualified and motivated teachers in our classrooms.”
Committing to partnerships, the representative urged: “If Nigeria is to secure its future, it must begin with teachers who are valued, supported, and empowered to shape minds, character, and opportunity.” He praised honorees: “To the teachers being honoured today, you remind us of what is possible.”
Earlier, Education Minister Alausa, announced massive cash rewards for top educators and announced the launch of EduRevamp portal at the Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026, declaring teachers the “foundation of national development.”
He stressed: “No nation can rise above the quality of its teachers. No reform, no matter how well designed, can succeed unless teachers are empowered, motivated, supported, and respected. When teachers thrive, learners succeed, systems grow stronger and nations move forward.”
He revealed a merit-based awards process, with three nominees from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT at basic and senior secondary levels. After rigorous selection, 12 finalists emerged – six from basic education and six from senior secondary. “These educators represent the very best of this profession: professionalism, integrity, innovation, and unwavering commitment to learners,” the minister said. Each will receive ₦25 million, with the overall Best Teacher of the Year winning ₦50 million. “This is more than a reward. It is a national signal that teaching is a noble, respected, and valued profession in Nigeria.”
Tying initiatives to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Alausa affirmed: “Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, education remains a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda. This administration understands that sustainable development, economic growth, innovation, and social cohesion depend on a strong and responsive education system and that system depends on teachers.”
Speaking on the EduRevamp launch – a nationwide Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme. “EduRevamp is a carefully structured, nationally coordinated Continuous Professional Development programme, designed by the Federal Ministry of Education to rethink, redesign, and revitalize teacher development in Nigeria,” he explained. Open to all public and private school teachers, it offers performance-based incentives exclusively for public school teachers who complete certified training. “Through EduRevamp, we are making a decisive shift: from fragmented training to verified learning outcomes, from attendance to demonstrated competence, and from promises to measurable rewards for performance.”
Minister of State for Education, Ahmad, also reinforced the summit’s momentum by vowing to “restore pride in the teaching profession,” urging educators to seize new opportunities for growth and impact under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ahmad celebrated the teaching vocation’s revival. “Together, we will restore pride in the teaching profession,” she declared, emphasising the belief in transformation.“Thank you for your service and believing in renewed hope.”
She called on teachers to embrace the summit’s actionable focus, aligning with the theme of empowering educators for national sustainability. Prof. Ahmad highlighted the need for sustained partnership, positioning teachers as central to reforms without revisiting prior announcements.
The highlight of the summit was the emergence of Solanke Francis Taiwo from Ogun State as Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher at the National Teachers’ Summit 2026, scooping ₦50 million, a two-bedroom flat as promised by Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun (to be built in any area of his choice in the state), and a car pledged by Borno Governor Babagana Zulum.
The 12 finalists, representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in basic and secondary education, each received ₦25 million for excellence in professionalism, innovation, and learner impact. Kebbi State Governor Comrade Idris added ₦5 million to boost their rewards.
Basic Education Winners included Ikoni Blessing Samuel (Female, South South Zone), Ituma Chinwe Emelda (Female, South East Zone), Gombo Lawal (Female, North East Zone), Solanke Francis Taiwo (Male, South West Zone – Overall Winner), Khadijah Galadima (Female, North Central Zone), and Okhide Eugene Oziegbe (Male, South South Zone).
Secondary Education Winners included Gilamdo Yohanna Kwen (Male, North East Zone), David Kachollom Joseph (Male, North Central Zone), Musa Abubakar Garba (Male, North West Zone), Ifetike Chek Wube Hope (Male, South East Zone), Obafemi Peter Lawal (Male, South West Zone), and Bashir Hanti (Male, North West Zone).