Olushola Omogbehin
Fayomi Felix, a teacher in Idepe High School Okitipupa and an old student of Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju-Odo, all in Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State, has been honoured as Best Public School Teacher in Nigeria with a N3.5 million cash award, in recognition of his innovative teaching methods and dedication to student success.
This announcement came on Sunday at the Eagle Square in Abuja during the grand finale of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration and the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards tagged: “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.”
Also in Ondo State, Emmanuel Ozor Charles of Greater Tomorrow International College, Ondo, emerged Best Public Private School Teacher with a cash prize of N3.5million.
Solanke Francis Taiwo of Ansar-Udeen Main School, Kemta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, won the Best Teacher (CAR) award for his outstanding commitment to nurturing young minds and driving academic excellence.
In the Basic School category, Woliwo Primary School, Onitsha, Anambra State, received the Best School (BUS) award as Onike Girls Junior High School, Lagos, was named Best Junior Secondary School (BUS) for its excellent performance in academic standards, discipline and girl-child empowerment.
Best School Leader’s award with a cash benefit of N3.5 million, went to Mrs. Odenike Fausat Mobolaji of Elepe Community Junior High School, Ikorodu, Lagos. He was recognised for her exceptional leadership, mentorship, and commitment to school improvement and teacher development.
The list also contained Ubani Roseblund Ibiyiye of Federal Government College, Abuloma, who won the coveted Best Teacher prize of N3.5million, representing the pinnacle of excellence in Nigeria’s teaching community.
Odenike Fausat Mobolaji of Elepe Community Junior High School, Ikorodu, Lagos won the Best School Leader with a cash price of ₦3.5 million.
Also at the event, the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, was named 2025 Education Governor of the Year for his administration’s outstanding contributions to the education sector, particularly for recruiting 7,325 new teachers, implementing a ₦70,000 minimum wage for teachers and bridging manpower gaps across Katsina’s schools.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering teachers through policies and programmes that promote collaboration, continuous professional development and national progress.
He said: “It is remarkable that the global community is acknowledging the selfless dedication of teachers who remain the foundation of development in all climes. Rewarding teachers is an investment in quality education, student achievement, and national progress.”
Alausa maintained the importance of collaboration among teachers as it leads to improved learning outcomes and greater professional fulfilment.
“When teachers are supported to work together through peer mentoring, joint lesson planning, co-teaching and digital platforms, learning outcomes improve and teachers experience professional growth,” he explained
He also revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education has rolled out several initiatives to improve teaching profession, including the implementation of the National Teacher Policy, which ensures that teachers are professionally empowered, motivated and supported through continuous training.
