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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Mary Adebayo, a teacher from Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School Senior, Obantoko Abeokuta. Ogun State, has emerged the overall best teacher in Nigeria in the 2026 President’s Teachers and Schools’ Excellent Awards. She was rewarded with a brand new car as the star prize
Gloria Nkolika Odionu from Awada Primary School IV, Obosi, Anambra State, also emerged the overall best administrator, and was rewarded with a car, while Federal Government College, Otobi, was rewarded with a bus as the overall best school.
Similarly, Abraham Nnaluka Ngobir from Federal Government College, Enugu, was rewarded with a brand new car as best Unity School teacher.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on behalf of the President, Bola Tinubu, presented the awards to the recipients at an event to mark the 2026 World Teachers Day in Abuja, on Monday, on the theme “standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing the status and shaping our future.”
He congratulated the award recipients for the good works that distinguished them among their contemporaries thus earning them the President’s award, and encouraged them to put in more effort and commitment to the education and training of younger generation.
President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Titus Amba, who was represented by the Deputy President, Kizito Kalu, reffirmed NUT’s unwavering commitment to standing with teachers and promoting their well-being in the interest of quality education for all.
“We, therefore, insist that teachers are not mere implements of education policies, but critical agents of social and economic transformation; they are not only purveyors of knowledge and values but nation builders that should be accorded their rightful status and pride of place in society.”
He reiterated the call on government at all levels to provide teachers with decent remuneration, safe and conducive working environments, opportunities for continuous professional development, adequate teaching and learning resources, and improved conditions of service that reflect the enormous responsibilities placed on their shoulders.
“As we look towards the future, let us therefore renew our commitment to protecting the teaching profession, advancing its status and ensuring that every teacher is valued, respected, adequately supported and professionally equipped. Standing with teachers today is ultimately an investment in the quality of education and the future of our beloved nation,” he said.
He therefore called for decisive action on improved remuneration and welfare, insisting that teachers must receive remuneration that reflects the importance of their responsibilities and the prevailing economic realities in the country.
“We wish to recall that the Federal Government under late President Muhammadu Buhari, gave approval for implementation of a special salary scale for teachers in basic and secondary schools in the year 2022 alongside
other welfare packages.
“Unfortunately, four years after the approvals, implementation has not commenced. We therefore renew our call on government to set machinery in motion for actualization of the new salary regime for teachers in order to boost their morale and enhance their dignity. A motivated teacher is an asset to national development.
“Teachers cannot be expected to perform optimally in environments characterized by overcrowded classrooms, inadequate furniture, insufficient instructional materials, poor infrastructure and lack of access to other essential teaching resources.”
He advocated a sustained investment in school infrastructure, provision of safe, healthy and conducive teaching and learning environments.
He noted acute shortage of teachers in schools across states of the federation, occasioned by non-recruitment of teachers by some state governments for many years. “This challenge of teacher shortage remains a serious concern that should be urgently addressed, particularly in rural, underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
“There is need for recruitment of sufficient number of professionally qualified teachers and provision of incentives that will encourage them to remain in the profession. The teacher of today operates in an environment radically different from that of previous generations. Therefore, they should be given regular opportunities for training and retraining for professional development.
“Continuous professional development is non- negotiable for teachers for continued adaptation to the rapidly changing school content and societal expectations,” he insisted
