The Federal Government has digitised the selection process for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day awards, saying the move is designed to improve transparency, accountability and proper documentation in the recognition of outstanding teachers.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, disclosed this on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a press conference in Abuja ahead of the annual World Teachers’ Day celebration.
According to the minister, this is the first time the selection process coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education has been fully digitalised. She said the process was carried out in line with African Union guidelines to improve safety, accountability and proper record keeping.
She explained that the state Ministries of Education were involved in facilitating the selection process across the country.
The minister said 14 awardees would be honoured during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration. The three best teachers are expected to receive cars, while the best Federal Unity College will receive a bus. Other awardees will receive laptops as part of efforts to recognise outstanding performance and encourage teachers.
Ahmad said the government was interested in attracting more qualified people into the teaching profession while also retaining teachers already working in the sector.
She said the 2026 celebration would focus on ways of preparing teachers for the changing education environment, particularly as technology and artificial intelligence continue to influence teaching and learning.
According to her, the areas of focus include innovation, teacher mobility, artificial intelligence, inclusion and professional excellence.
On innovation, the minister said teachers should be encouraged to use creative teaching methods, digital tools and locally relevant solutions to make learning more effective and engaging.
She explained that mobility would encourage teacher exchange programmes and cooperation across countries, allowing educators to share knowledge and experiences.
On artificial intelligence, Ahmad said technology could support personalised learning, improve decision-making through data and reduce some administrative duties placed on teachers. She, however, stressed the importance of ensuring that AI is used ethically and inclusively.
The minister also highlighted inclusion, saying every learner should have access to quality education regardless of gender, ability, economic background or location.
Professional excellence, she added, would involve continuous training, better professional development, supportive policies and greater recognition of the role teachers play in society.
The Federal Government’s digitalisation of the awards process comes as Nigeria prepares to mark World Teachers’ Day on October 5. The annual event is used to recognise the contributions of teachers to education and society.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers also stressed the importance of keeping teachers at the centre of education despite the rapid growth of technology.
The NUT National President, Audu Amba, represented at the event by the union’s Deputy National President, Kizito Kalu, said innovations such as artificial intelligence should strengthen the teaching profession rather than reduce the importance of teachers.
He called for increased investment in teacher training, welfare and professional development so that teachers can adapt to changes in the education sector.
The Federal Ministry of Education’s official awards portal shows that the current national awards process covers nominations from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with winners scheduled to be announced at the World Teachers’ Day celebration on October 5.
The development is part of broader efforts by the government to recognise excellence in Nigeria’s education sector while encouraging teachers to improve their skills and adapt to new methods of teaching.
With the 2026 awards approaching, attention is now on the final approval and announcement of the successful teachers and schools.
