The Nigerian Government has digitised the selection process for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day awards to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration scheduled for October 5.
She said the process was digitised in line with African Union guidelines and coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with state Ministries of Education.
“For the first time, the selection processes coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education were digitalised in line with African Union guidelines to ensure safety, accountability and reference,” she said.
Ahmad said several activities, including a symposium, had been scheduled for the celebration to create awareness, promote critical thinking and recognise outstanding teachers across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
She said 14 awardees would be honoured, with the three best teachers receiving cars, while the best-performing Federal Unity College would receive a bus. Other awardees would receive laptops.
The minister said the 2026 celebration, themed “Transforming the Teacher Profession for Africa’s Future,” would focus on five pillars: innovation, mobility, Artificial Intelligence (AI), inclusion and professional excellence.
She explained that innovation would promote creative teaching methods, digital tools and locally relevant solutions, while mobility would encourage teacher exchange programmes, cross-border collaboration and flexible career pathways.
On AI, Ahmad said the focus would be on personalised learning, data-driven decision-making and reducing teachers’ administrative burden, while ensuring ethical and inclusive use.
She said inclusion would promote equitable access to quality education regardless of gender, ability, socioeconomic status or location, while professional excellence would focus on continuous professional development, fair remuneration, supportive policies and recognition of teachers’ leadership roles.
Ahmad also announced that a march-past would be held in Abuja on the final day of the celebration, with teachers from the 36 states and the FCT participating. She said the event would showcase Nigeria’s diverse cultures and heritage.
The minister said the ministry was working to attract and retain highly qualified professionals in the teaching profession to improve learning outcomes.
On reports of a possible United States ban affecting Nigerians and Ghanaians, Ahmad said the Nigerian government had yet to receive any official communication from the US government.
She disclosed that the ministry had automated its Education Support Services (ESS) department to enable foreign institutions and employers to verify Nigerian academic qualifications online.
According to her, the measure would help prevent fraudulent certificate claims and protect Nigerians with genuine qualifications seeking opportunities abroad.
Earlier, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, represented by the Deputy National President, Kizito Kalu, said teachers must remain central to education amid rapid technological advancements.
Amba stressed the need for investment in teacher training, welfare and professional development, saying AI and other innovations should strengthen rather than diminish teachers’ professional roles.
He commended the ministry for its partnership with the union and said the symposium would provide an opportunity to discuss challenges facing teachers and develop practical solutions.
World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5 and has been celebrated since 1994. The 2026 edition also marks 60 years of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
