Federal Government to digitally select 14 winners for 2026 teachers’ awards

The Federal Government will use a digital selection process to choose 14 recipients of the 2026 President’s Teachers’ and Schools Excellence Awards, the Federal Ministry of Education has said. The ministry disclosed this in a statement issued by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, on Saturday. The statement quoted the Minister of State for Education, Prof.

Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, as saying the digital system had replaced the previous manual process. Ahmad said the system was intended to improve transparency, accountability, documentation and confidence in the recognition of outstanding teachers and schools. She said it was being implemented with state ministries of education and in line with relevant African Union guidelines.

According to the minister, the process would create a more credible and properly documented framework for identifying and rewarding excellence in teaching. She also said reliable records would be maintained for future reference, while fairness and accountability in selecting awardees would be strengthened. The awards will form part of Nigeria’s 2026 World Teachers’ Day programme, whose theme is “Transforming the Teaching Profession for Africa’s Future.” Ahmad identified innovation, mobility, artificial intelligence, inclusion and professional excellence as the five pillars for the celebration.

She said the programme would include a symposium for education stakeholders and leaders of relevant agencies and institutions. The event is expected to examine the five areas and develop practical approaches to strengthening the teaching profession. The main celebration, scheduled for October 5, will bring together teachers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for a march-past.

The first-, second- and third-best teachers will receive major prizes, while other award recipients will be given laptops. Outstanding school performance will also be recognised. The Nigeria Union of Teachers said teachers’ digital skills, professional development and workplace support should receive sustained investment, while artificial intelligence should complement, rather than replace, teachers’ expertise and judgement.