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By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye
In a packed State House Conference Centre in Abuja, amid cheers and flashing cameras, Solanke Francis Taiwo stood tall, his 23 years of quiet classroom battles finally crowned with glory. The unassuming teacher from Odeda Local Government Area in Ogun State, now Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher at the National Teachers’ Summit 2026, scooped N50 million, a two-bedroom flat anywhere in Ogun State (courtesy of Governor Dapo Abiodun), a car pledged by Borno’s Governor Babagana Zulum and an additional N5 million from Kebbi State Governor. But for Taiwo, a licensed, registered digital educator and Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, this wasn’t luck—it was divine reckoning.
“I’m a licensed teacher, a registered teacher. I’m a digital teacher, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert. I’ve been in the teaching industry well over 23 years in impactful service,” Taiwo shared, his voice steady but eyes gleaming. “Actually, I’m not surprised what happened today because, within the space of these 23 years, I have groomed learners in curricular and extracurricular activities. My learners have emerged as overall champions, earning cash awards, scholarship and certificate of participation at local level, at state, at national competitions. So, today, I feel excited that the effort I’ve been making over the years, those learners that are timid, that cannot stand, that have no confidence, that I have reinforced, that I have motivated, that today God has remembered me. I actually feel fulfilled, and I am happy, and I also want to use this privilege to appreciate those that have given me their shoulder, those that have helped me to achieve this feat. I want to thank God and I want to celebrate them as well.”
Taiwo kept his N50 million plans personal, but his story echoes the grit of millions of Nigerian teachers—underpaid, overlooked, yet moulding futures in crumbling classrooms from riverine hamlets to urban slums.
Solanke’s win wasn’t a fluke; it crowned a summit where 12 finalists—six from basic education and six from senior secondary, one per geopolitical zone—each pocketed N25 million for embodying “professionalism, integrity, innovation and unwavering commitment to learners,” as Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, put it.
Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Idris, topped it with an extra N5 million each for all the winners: Ikoni Blessing Samuel (South South, basic), Gombo Lawal (North East, basic), Okhide Eugene Oziegbe (South South, basic), Gilamdo Yohanna Kwen (Adamawa/North East, secondary), David Kachollom Joseph (North Central, secondary), Ifetike Chek Wube Hope (South East, secondary), to Bashir Hanti (North West, secondary).
But behind the cheques lay human stories of endurance: 29 years without a clap, mothers juggling university children on meager salaries, principals raiding personal pockets for school fixes. These “quiet architects,” as First Lady Oluremi Tinubu called them, finally heard thunderous applause.
Mrs. Tinubu, a former teacher herself, set the emotional tone in her keynote at the summit themed “Empowering Teachers; Strengthening the Education System.” “Teachers are the quiet architects of great nations, shaping young minds, instilling values, and nurturing hope,” she declared. “I understand firsthand the demands of teaching and the enduring impact of teachers in shaping societies.” She charged them onward: “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.” Praising the new EduRevamp portal for continuous professional development, she added, “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.” Tying it to national vision, she affirmed: “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.” She lauded Minister Alausa, Minister of State Suwaiba Ahmad, and their team, expressing confidence that the outcomes of the Summit will strengthen the country’s education system.
Khadijah Galadima, a veteran from Niger State’s basic education scene, wept openly. “I’m over excited. I don’t know how I will express my joy for today. I’m so happy. I thank God for this. I thank God for sparing my life to see this day,” she said.
Mrs Kachollom Joseph David, a teacher in GSS Nyango Gyel, Jos South honoured as Best Teacher in the North Central Zone of Nigeria, declared, “I feel very happy. I feel that my hard work has paid. These 17 years of teaching, no one has ever clapped for me. Until the day my commissioner came and met me in class. Oh, wow. That very day, I was full of joy. Talk more of today. Who am I? All praise to God Almighty.” A marketing teacher at Jos South, Plateau (in her senior secondary win recount), with three kids—one in the University of Kashmir on scholarship, the youngest just three—she’s poured passion since Sunday school days. “Yes, from the very first beginning. That is where my passion has been. Even though I started from the Sundays where I teach little children and I have passion for it. Anytime I’m in the classroom, I feel very comfortable.” Her plans? School aid. “This money that has been given to me, When I return to my state, I will try to help the poor ones among the pupils in my class. Not only my class, the entire school. I should be able to do something for my school so that they too will recognize this day that I was nominated as the best teacher in the state.” To peers: “I pray that they will follow in our footsteps. I pray that they will always take their work very seriously and passionately. Because some teachers are just there as teachers. But if they are asked to carry out practicals—they will say, “Oh, principal, we need money.” Sometimes we go out of our way to do these things. Today, truly, I am favoured because of my work. It pays to work hard. So I advise other teachers to work hard so that one day they may be awarded like this. This has boosted my morale, so when I go back to my class, I will put in more effort in bringing these children up in a good way.”
Gilamdo Yohanna Kwen, 18+ years teaching English and Literature in Adamawa’s North East secondary schools, said. “I feel elated, honestly. I’m happy. I’m overwhelmed. After all this suffering, hard work, and dedication to education, I think this is the answer— God has finally done it,” he said, his voice cracking. “And it’s a lesson for me that hard work pays, even when it seems no one is seeing you, no one is looking at you. God has proven that he’s the one who can reward those who work hard and those who wait. So I’m happy. I don’t even know what to say. I’m so happy for this final thing that God has done.”
His advice: “Honestly, for my other colleagues, I think the message for them is to be conscientious. Do your work. You don’t need to be supervised. Just go straight and do what you’re supposed to do. And God, who is the rewarder of all, will reward you. Even when your superiors at times may not reward you, God can reward you.”
Innovation shone in Obafemi Peter Lawal from Lagos State, South South zone, 14 years across public and private in secondary schools. “Yes, I’m feeling overwhelmed because the reward is unbelievable. In fact, if I had been aware that the price is going to be more than this, I don’t just know what I would have done. So it’s very overwhelming to see this amount of money,” he shared. He said the award will serve as motivation to other teachers, “so that they can be rewarded just like this. So it is a motivational factor.” His vision: an AI Learning Centre. “Well, of course, one of my projects I’m currently working on is to establish an AI Learning Centre so as to reduce the number of out-of-school children. I have built a robot. It’s a teacher AI robot to aide those interested in AI. I want a platform whereby students can go there and learn virtually anything. It’s a big project that at the end of the day is going to help us to reduce the number of out-of-school children that can go there, learn, and at the end of the day, take exam and if they pass exam go straight to the university or learn one skill or the other. So that’s what I intend to use the money for.”
Others echoed resilience. Ituma Chinwe Emelda, a 2004 economics graduate from Ebonyi State. “I am the best teacher from the State. I feel happy. If you look at me, you see how I am singing and dancing to my God. I’m singing because I’ve never dreamed of this but God has just shown me mercy today. And I promise God that I will continue to put in more effort. Because he has shown me mercy. I am grateful.”
Musa Abubakar Garba, Kaduna State: I’m the winner of the North West zone of N30 million. I’m the principal of Government Secondary School in Chippa, Kaduna South. Honestly, I’m very honoured. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Almighty God for giving me this opportunity… And at the same time, I would like to thank the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, for his contribution to make this happen. My Commissioner of Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, and my Chairperson. My plan for this money is to assist the students. Especially the vulnerable students that cannot afford writing materials, and other items. At the same time, I would use part of the money to make little renovation in the school, where necessary. Because the work is too much for the state government.”
Dignitaries amplified the moment. Minister Alausa: “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… These educators represent the very best of this profession… This is more than a reward. It is a national signal that teaching is a noble, respected, and valued profession in Nigeria… 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… 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 Ahmad: “Together, we will restore pride in the teaching profession… Thank you for your service and believing in renewed hope, she told the teachers.”
Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Borno governor, Zulum said: “No education system can rise above the quality, motivation, professionalism, and welfare of its teachers… Governors have taken deliberate steps to confront… the erosion of teacher morale and professional dignity… If Nigeria is to secure its future, it must begin with teachers who are valued, supported, and empowered to shape minds, character, and opportunity.”
President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Titus Amba, commended the federal government for organising the National Teachers’ Summit.
He stressed the vital role of recognising and professionalising teachers as the cornerstone of education, adding that quality education hinges on motivated, well-supported, and professional educators.
Amba also praised government funding for teacher development initiatives and called for ongoing support to reshape the education system.
“Education transmission can only be achieved if teachers are professionalised, friendly, motivated, and supported to guide the learning process.
“The teacher is always the teacher. We are proud to be here with our mother teachers of Nigeria. We commend the federal government for funding programmes that promote the professionalism of teachers in Nigeria,” he added.
For these teachers, the summit wasn’t just prizes— it was validation after decades in the shadows, fueling promises of AI robots, school fixes, and harder work. Nigeria’s classrooms, long starved, now pulse with renewed hope.
