The Federal Government has announced plans to reward outstanding teachers and schools with cars, a bus, laptops and other incentives as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration on October 5.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at a news conference and symposium ahead of the celebration. She said 14 awardees would be recognised under the 2026 President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards (PTSEA).
Key Highlights
- Three outstanding teachers will receive cars under the 2026 President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards.
- The best Federal Unity College will receive a bus.
- Other award recipients will receive laptops and other recognition prizes.
- The 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration will hold on October 5 in Abuja.
- The Federal Government has digitalised the awards selection process to improve transparency, accountability and documentation.
- The celebration will focus on innovation, mobility, artificial intelligence, inclusion and professional excellence.
According to Prof. Ahmad, the first, second and third-best teachers will each receive a car, while the best Federal Unity College will be presented with a bus. Other award recipients will receive laptops as part of efforts to recognise excellence and motivate educators.
The 2026 World Teachers’ Day programme is being held under the theme, “Transforming the Teacher Profession for Africa’s Future.” The Federal Ministry of Education said the theme focuses on five interconnected areas, namely innovation, mobility, artificial intelligence, inclusion and professional excellence.
Prof. Ahmad said the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), coordinates the annual celebration, while state ministries of education facilitate the nomination of teachers and schools.
For the first time, the 2026 awards selection process was fully digitalised in line with African Union guidelines, according to the minister. She said the system was designed to improve safety, transparency, accountability and proper documentation while eliminating the need for applicants to travel to submit hard-copy materials.
The official PTSEA portal states that the 2026 award cycle covers teachers, school administrators and schools across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The award programme is designed to recognise excellence in teaching, professionalism, innovation, leadership and educational service delivery.
FG Unveils Teacher Recruitment and Retention Policy
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government had developed a policy approved in 2025 to attract and retain high-calibre professionals in the teaching profession.
She said the policy, which has been shared with the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, includes measures such as scholarships for prospective teachers and improved welfare initiatives for serving educators.
Prof. Ahmad, however, stressed that successful implementation would depend significantly on state governments because education is on the concurrent legislative list and most teachers are employed at the state level.
NUT Calls for More Investment in Teachers
Speaking on behalf of the NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, the Deputy President, Elder Comrade Kizito Kalu, called for increased investment in teacher preparation as education systems respond to technological advancement, artificial intelligence and changing societal expectations.
He said technological developments should strengthen the professional role of teachers.
“The NUT believes that a strong education system cannot be built without a strong, respected and adequately supported teaching profession,” he said.
The Director of Education Support Services in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Gabriel Oluwole, confirmed that the automated awards process covers categories for Best Teacher, Best School and Best Administrator across basic and secondary education.
The categories cover public and private schools as well as Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
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The 2026 World Teachers’ Day activities will bring together teachers from the 36 states and the FCT. The programme will also feature a march-past involving teachers displaying state flags and cultural attire.
The Federal Government said the awards are part of broader efforts to recognise excellence, raise the status of teaching and motivate educators who contribute to the development of Nigeria’s education system.
The official PTSEA programme lists the national World Teachers’ Day commemoration and awards ceremony for October 5, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
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