The Federal Government has launched a nationally coordinated continuous professional development programme for Nigerian teachers, just as the best teacher in Nigeria Taiwo Solanke, was rewarded with a cash price of N50 million for his commitment, innovation, and dedication to the teaching profession.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced this at the Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026 held at the Banquet Hall, State House, on Tuesday in Abuja, adding that apart from the overall best teachers, teachers from the basic and secondary school levels were also identified and rewarded.
The minister said EduRevamp was open to all teachers, but performance-based incentives would be reserved for public school teachers.
He said the programme shifted training from attendance-based participation to demonstrated competence and measurable outcomes.
Alausa said complementary initiatives included Ignite digital platform, Diaspora Bridge for STEMM education and provision of 60,000 tablets for teachers.
He said the ministry has strengthened the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria’s digital platform and advanced the Accelerated Teacher Training Programme nationwide, and stakeholders to prioritise actionable outcomes, saying success would be measured by impact in classrooms and learners’ lives.
He said teachers were the foundation of education and national development, stressing that no reform could succeed without empowered educators, adding that education remained central to Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that sustainable development depended on strong teachers.
“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.
“Empowering teachers means continuous professional development that reflects our realities. It means dignity in service, clarity in career progression, and fairness in reward,” he said.
Solanke also received a brand new car from Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State and a fully furnished two-bedroom flat by Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
Alausa said 12 exceptional teachers picked from the six geopolitical zones would also receive N25 million each, adding that the awardees emerged through a transparent, merit-driven process from nominations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Other teachers awarded were drawn from the South-West, South-East, North-Central, North-West, North-East, and South-South zones across the basic and secondary education levels with a cash prize of N25 million each.
The beneficiaries of the awards in the basic education category are Blessing Ikong, Chinwe Ituma, Gombo Lawan, Taiwo Solanke and Khadijat Galadima and Okide Ochike.
The secondary category has Johanna Gilando, David Joseph, Musa Haruba, Hope Ifetike, Lawal Obafemi and Bashir Hantsi.
