Abuja:The Federal Government has implemented a digital selection process for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day awards, aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and proper documentation. This announcement was made by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, during a news conference in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the digitalization of the selection process was undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Education in accordance with African Union guidelines to ensure safety and accountability. The process was facilitated by state Ministries of Education.
Prof. Ahmad revealed that 14 awardees will be honored at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration. The top three teachers will be rewarded with cars, and the best Federal Unity College will receive a bus. Additionally, awardees will receive laptops to recognize their outstanding performance and motivate further contributions to the education sector.
The 2026 celebration, themed ‘Transforming the Teacher Profession for Africa’s Future,’ will focus on reimagining education in Africa through five interconnected pillars innovation, mobility, Artificial Intelligence (AI), inclusion, and professional excellence. These pillars aim to equip teachers to address emerging challenges in education.
Prof. Ahmad also addressed reports of a potential U.S. ban affecting Nigerians and Ghanaians, stating that the Federal Government has not received any official communication from the U.S. Government. She noted that the ministry has automated its Education Support Services department to enable online verification of Nigerian academic qualifications by foreign institutions and employers, combating fraudulent certificate claims.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, emphasized the central role of teachers in the education process amid technological advancements. He advocated for investment in teacher training, welfare, and professional development to help teachers adapt to changes in education.
The World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5th to honor teachers’ contributions to education and society.