By FUNMI ADEYEMI

The Federal Government has rewarded the overall best teacher in the country, Taiwo Solanke, with a cash price of N50 million for his commitment, innovation, and dedication to the teaching profession.

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, disclosed this at the Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026 held at the Banquet Hall, State House, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Teachers’ Summit is themed “Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability.”

Tinubu said the prize was aimed at intensifying efforts to restore dignity and excellence in the teaching profession.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Solanke was also gifted a brand new car by Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno and a fully furnished two-bedroom flat by Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun.

Tinubu described teachers as the quiet architects of great nations, saying national progress depended on their motivation and support.

The first lady said that as a former classroom teacher, she knows meaningful education could only be achieved when teachers were adequately equipped, motivated and supported.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, education remains an essential pillar of national development.

“This is 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,” Tinubu said.

She also congratulated the Federal Ministry of Education on the launch of the EduRevamp Portal, describing it as a major step toward continuous professional development and improved learning outcomes.

Tinubu urged teachers to pursue excellence, embrace innovation and uphold integrity while shaping future leaders.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said that apart from the overall best teachers, teachers from the basic and secondary school levels were also identified and rewarded.

Alausa said 12 exceptional teachers picked from the six geopolitical zones would also receive N25 million each.

He explained that the awardees emerged through a transparent, merit-driven process from nominations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The minister said teachers were the foundation of education and national development, stressing that no reform could succeed without empowered educators.

Alausa noted 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.

He announced the launch of EduRevamp, a nationally coordinated continuous professional development programme for Nigerian teachers.

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 added that the ministry has strengthened the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria’s digital platform and advanced the Accelerated Teacher Training Programme nationwide.

The minister urged stakeholders to prioritise actionable outcomes, saying success would be measured by impact in classrooms and learners’ lives.

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 price 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. (NAN, excluding headline)