Governor Dapo Abiodun has rewarded Mr. Solanke Francis Taiwo, a teacher at Ansa-Ur-Deen Main School I, Kemta Lawa, Abeokuta, with a brand new car after he emerged as Nigeria’s Overall Best Primary School Teacher.
The presentation took place at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where Abiodun handed over the car keys in the presence of the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbagbu, and senior officials of the ministry.
The recognition follows Solanke’s emergence as the top primary school teacher in the country after earlier winning at the state level. Education authorities described the achievement as a strong endorsement of ongoing reforms in Ogun State’s education sector.
Prof. Arigbagbu said the award reflects the impact of the state’s sustained investment in education, noting that Ogun has recorded repeated successes in national competitions. According to him, the teacher first won the state award in October before clinching the national title in Abuja, a development he said confirms that the reforms are yielding measurable results.
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He explained that the Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda is anchored on six pillars, including curriculum development, improved school management, technology integration, infrastructure upgrades, funding reforms and enhanced welfare for teachers and students. He added that the earlier declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector paved the way for structural changes that are now producing results.
Arigbagbu also cited Ogun’s strong performance in JETS competitions, where students secured the majority of available awards in a particular year. He noted that the state’s model in Technical and Vocational Education and Training has attracted interest from other states, while federal education authorities have acknowledged the progress made in digitisation and skills development.
The commissioner said the decision to reward Solanke with a car was intended to motivate teachers across the state to strive for excellence, adding that the government remains committed to continuous training through workshops, seminars and technology driven teaching methods, including the use of artificial intelligence tools in classrooms.
Speaking after receiving the car, Solanke expressed appreciation to the governor for what he described as a strong commitment to education. He said the conducive learning environment and consistent reforms introduced by the administration have empowered teachers to perform at their best.
He pledged to sustain the momentum and work closely with fellow educators to maintain Ogun State’s reputation for academic excellence, urging teachers to remain focused on improving learning outcomes and nurturing every pupil entrusted to their care.
The award and the accompanying reward are expected to further boost morale in Ogun’s public school system and reinforce the state’s standing in national education rankings.
