The Federal Government has unveiled plans to reward exceptional teachers and schools with cars, laptops and other gifts as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, announced this on Friday in Abuja during a news conference and symposium organised ahead of the October 5 celebration.
Ahmad disclosed that 14 recipients would be honoured under the 2026 World Teachers’ Day and President’s Teachers’ and Schools Excellence Awards.
She said the first, second and third-best teachers would receive cars, while the best-performing Federal Unity College would be presented with a bus.
Other award recipients would receive laptops in recognition of their contributions to education and efforts to improve teaching standards.
The 2026 celebration is themed, “Transforming the Teaching Profession for Africa’s Future,” with emphasis on innovation, mobility, artificial intelligence, inclusion and professional excellence.
The minister explained that the Federal Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Teachers, coordinates the annual event, while state ministries of education handle the nomination of eligible teachers and schools.
She further revealed that the selection process had been fully digitalised for the first time to improve transparency, accountability, safety and documentation.
According to her, the new system allows applications to be submitted, assessed and scored electronically, eliminating the need for candidates to travel across the country to submit physical documents.
Ahmad also disclosed that the Federal Government had introduced a policy designed to attract qualified personnel into teaching, improve teachers’ welfare and strengthen retention in the profession.
She said the policy, approved in 2025 and circulated to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, provides strategies for recruiting and retaining competent teachers.
“The policy was approved 2025 and has been disseminated to 36 plus FCT. In that policy, there are clear guidelines, there are clear directions and strategy for ensuring that we attract the best,” she said.
The minister noted that the initiative would begin at the training stage, including scholarship opportunities for prospective teachers, while measures would also target the welfare of those already in service.
However, she emphasised that state governments must play a major role in implementing the policy, given that education is on the concurrent legislative list and most teachers are employed by state authorities.
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She explained that the Federal Government’s direct influence was limited by the relatively small number of Federal Unity Colleges compared with the country’s overall school population.
Meanwhile, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, represented by his deputy, Elder Comrade Kizito Kalu, called for increased investment in preparing teachers for emerging educational demands.
Amba said technological developments, artificial intelligence and changing approaches to teaching and learning were reshaping education globally.
He stressed that these developments should strengthen, rather than diminish, the professional relevance of teachers.
“The NUT believes that a strong education system cannot be built without a strong, respected and adequately supported teaching profession,” he said.
He urged the government to sustain investments in teacher training and equip educators with the skills required to adapt to technological advancements while maintaining their professional judgment.
The union president also commended the Federal Ministry of Education for its partnership in organising the annual celebration.
Earlier, the Director of Education Support Services in the ministry, Gabriel Oluwole, said the 2026 awards would be conducted through an automated selection system covering the Best Teacher, Best School and Best Administrator categories.
He said the exercise would cover public and private schools, as well as Federal Unity Colleges across the country, at the basic and secondary education levels.
The October 5 celebration will feature teachers from the 36 states and the FCT, including march-pasts showcasing state flags and cultural attire.