The Federal Government has inaugurated the Planning and Implementation Committee for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day Celebration and the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards, reaffirming its commitment to recognising outstanding teachers and strengthening the teaching profession as a cornerstone of national development.
Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, described teachers as the foundation of sustainable educational development, stressing that Nigeria’s human capital aspirations depend on a motivated, qualified, and professionally supported teaching workforce.
“Teachers remain the bedrock of sustainable educational development. If Nigeria is to achieve its human capital development goals, we must continue to motivate, recognise and professionally support those entrusted with educating our future generations,” Enitan said.
He charged members of the committee to discharge their responsibilities with fairness, transparency, integrity, accountability, and merit.
“I urge every member of this committee to ensure that the entire process is guided by fairness, transparency, integrity, accountability and merit. The credibility of these awards depends on the confidence Nigerians have in the selection process,” he said.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the committee will coordinate nominations, screening, and verification of candidates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards.
“The committee is expected to coordinate nominations, conduct thorough screening and verification of candidates, develop the programme for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration, mobilise strategic partnerships, and establish effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure a successful exercise,” he added.
Also speaking, the Director of Education Support Services, Mr. Amudipe Gabriel Oluwole, described the inauguration as the formal commencement of preparations for the annual celebration.
“Today’s inauguration marks the official commencement of preparations for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day Celebration and the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards. We are committed to delivering a transparent, credible and impactful process that will truly honour excellence in the teaching profession,” Oluwole said.
Representatives of key education stakeholders, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and development partners pledged their support for a transparent and credible selection process.
The committee comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, its agencies, professional bodies, development partners, and other stakeholders, reflecting the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing quality education and human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.