The Federal Government has pledged full support for Guinness World Record holder, Oluwaseyi Anifowoshle, in his bid to convene 200,000 teachers across the country for the 2026 “Let There Be Teachers” Conference.

Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit and presentation of plaques ahead of the 2026 conference, describing the initiative as a positive spotlight on Nigeria and a bold step towards repositioning the teaching profession.

Alausa congratulated Anifowoshle for projecting Nigeria in a positive light through his record-breaking teachers’ conference, noting that citizens must learn to speak well of their country.

“When you devalue your country, you devalue yourself,” he said, urging Nigerians to highlight the nation’s strengths and ongoing reforms.

Alausa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as transformative leadership, saying the administration’s reforms in the education sector are geared towards securing a better future for Nigerian children.

According to him, improving the quality of teachers remains central to the Federal Government’s education reform agenda.

“If we want the highest quality of education for our children, we must have the highest quality of teachers,” the Minister said, stressing that quality assurance is one of the ministry’s six priority areas.

He disclosed that the government has launched a digital platform for continuous teacher professional development, accessible to both public and private school teachers nationwide. The platform, he said, has been zero-rated to ensure teachers do not pay for data while accessing training materials.

Alausa further announced that from 2026, the Federal Government will begin paying the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) license fees for all public school teachers, describing the move as part of broader efforts to enhance teacher welfare and professional recognition.

He also highlighted the recently held National Teachers’ Summit, where outstanding educators were rewarded with substantial prizes, including a ₦55 million cash award, a house in Ogun State and a car for the national winner.

The summit, he said, will now become an annual event to ensure teachers are respected, rewarded and recognized.

Describing teaching as “the best profession in any society,” the Minister noted that education remains the bedrock of national development and teachers are the drivers of that foundation.

Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, congratulated Anifowoshle on his landmark achievement and advocacy for better welfare of teachers, reaffirming the commitment of the Ministry to give all the necessary support to ensure success of the proposed conference.

Earlier, Oluwaseyi Anifowoshle said his team visited the ministry to seek official endorsement and strategic partnership for the 2026 “Let There Be Teachers Conference,” which aims to host 200,000 teachers nationwide.

He outlined areas of requested collaboration to include alignment of conference content with federal education reform priorities, ministry representation at the event, institutional support for nationwide mobilisation, and integration of the National Teachers’ Pledge into broader reform communication efforts.

Anifowoshle recounted how a teacher transformed his life when he struggled with English in primary school, inspiring him to pursue a career in teaching and education advocacy.

He said “Let There Be Teachers” movement was established to drive global advocacy for teachers to be respected, rewarded and recognized, noting that the profession produces all other professions in society.

In 2025, he set a Guinness World Record after convening over 15,000 teachers in partnership with the Lagos State Government, becoming the first Nigerian teacher to host the largest gathering of teachers globally.

Building on that feat, he said the 2026 edition, themed “From Record to Reform,” aims to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration by focusing on honour, opportunities, professional development and empowerment for teachers.

The proposed conference plans to gather at least 20,000 teachers in Abuja and a minimum of 5,000 teachers in each of the 36 states, bringing the total to 200,000 participants nationwide.

Anifowoshle expressed confidence that with the Federal Government’s backing, the conference would not only break new ground but also advance meaningful reforms in Nigeria’s education sector. (Nigerian Tribune)

• PHOTO: Guinness World Record holder, Oluwaseyi Anifowoshle during a presentation of plaques ahead of the 2026 teacher's conference