By Mariam Abeeb
The Federal Government has digitised the selection process for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day and President’s Teachers’ and Schools Excellence Awards (PTSEA) to enhance transparency, accountability and record-keeping.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.
Ahmad said the digitalisation of the selection process, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education, was undertaken for the first time in line with African Union guidelines.
She explained that state ministries of education facilitated the nomination process, while the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), coordinated the annual celebration.
The 2026 celebration, themed “Transforming the Teaching Profession for Africa’s Future,” focuses on strengthening education across the continent through innovation, teacher mobility, artificial intelligence, inclusion and professional excellence.
According to the minister, the five pillars are designed to promote creative teaching methods, digital learning tools, cross-border collaboration, the ethical use of artificial intelligence and equitable access to quality education.
She said the theme also emphasises the need for continuous professional development, fair remuneration, supportive policies and greater recognition of teachers’ contributions to national development.
As part of activities lined up for the celebration, the ministry organised a symposium to examine the theme and its implications for the future of teaching in Nigeria and Africa.
Ahmad said heads of agencies under the ministry would speak on the key areas highlighted in the theme to promote awareness, critical thinking and improved teaching practices.
She added that the celebration would feature teachers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, who would participate in a colourful march-past with their respective state flags and cultural attire.
The march-past, she said, would showcase the dedication of teachers while promoting unity, cultural diversity and cooperation among education stakeholders.
The minister disclosed that 14 awardees had been selected for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day and PTSEA awards.
She said the first, second and third-best teachers would receive cars, while the best Federal Unity College would be presented with a bus.
Other award recipients would receive laptops in recognition of their contributions to teaching and educational development.
Ahmad noted that the annual celebration had continued to receive support from government agencies, state governments, organisations and individuals to ensure its success and reward teachers whose efforts were transforming the profession.
She urged journalists to provide objective reporting and wide coverage of the event, saying this would help disseminate accurate information and promote the values of unity, peace and collaboration.
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