The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday declared that national progress and meaningful educational achievement can only happen when teachers are well motivated, equipped and supported.
According to her, their dedication, sacrifice, and daily commitment are laying the foundation for Nigeria’s future.
She spoke at the State House Conference Centre while declaring the Nigeria Teachers Summit 2026 open. The Summit was themed ‘’Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda For Education Transformation And Sustainability’’
Senator Tinubu noted that the theme is very timely and relevant in tackling the challenges within the Nigeria's education system and charting a clear path forward.
The First Lady said "Teachers are the quiet architects of great nations, shaping young minds, instilling values, and nurturing hope. Therefore, meaningful educational and national progress can only be achieved when teachers are adequately equipped, motivated, and supported.
"As an educationist and lifelong teacher, I understand firsthand the demands of teaching and the enduring impact of teachers in shaping societies. My work in supporting education and my regard for teachers is as a result of my experience as a former classroom teacher."she added
According to her, education under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, remains an essential pillar of national development with a clear recognition that sustainable development begins with quality teaching and learning.
"The administration is committed to sustained investment in teachers’ welfare, professional development, and the skills needed to prepare learners for a rapidly changing world." she stated
While thanking the teachers, for their hard work, commitment, and dedication, she urged them to continue to pursue excellence, embrace innovation, and uphold integrity towards shaping the next generation of leaders.
She also commended the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Ma’aruf Tunji Alausa, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad and their team for convening the strategic event, which she believed will strengthen the educational system.
Speaking at the occasion, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa announced the award of N25 million each to 12 outstanding teachers across the six geopolitical zones.
The overall winner, Solanke Francis Taiwo, who is among the 12 was given additional N25 million for emerging the overall, making the total dole out from the Federal Government to amount to N325 Million.
The overall winner was also gifted a brand new car by Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, while his Ogun state Governor Dapo Abiodun, also announced a well furnished two bedroom flat at any location of his choice in the state.
The Minister added "Today, we gather around a simple but powerful truth: teachers are the foundation of education, and education is the foundation of national development. No nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.
"No reform, no matter how well designed, can succeed unless teachers are empowered, motivated, supported, and respected. When teachers thrive, learners succeed, systems grow stronger and nations move forward."
He said that the theme of the summit is a national statement that Nigeria values its teachers, a statement that the teaching profession matters, and a statement that the future of Nigeria begins in the classroom.
The Minister said" To remove barriers to access, the Federal Ministry of Education has supported the provision of 60,000 tablets for teachers and working with Telco partners to fully implement a zero-data access plan, ensuring that teachers can access approved training platforms and digital resources without the burden of data costs.
"We have strengthened the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital platform to improve professional registration, tracking, and structured career development.
"We have trained teacher educators nationwide, expanded digital learning platforms, and established Communities of Practice, fostering peer-led professional growth.
"We are also advancing the Accelerated Teacher Training Programme (ATTP), designed to fast-track professionalization for in-service teachers, including clear pathways for those without education backgrounds and focused Professional Diploma in Education routes.
"This is about raising standards without raising barriers.To give long-term direction and stability to the profession, we have introduced the National Teacher Policy, providing clarity on teacher development, welfare, deployment, and professional standards, and ensuring coherence across reforms at all levels." he stated
He also unveiled EduRevamp, a nationally coordinated online Continuous Professional Development portal for teachers.
EduRevamp, the Minister said, is designed to modernise teacher training, improve classroom outcomes and provide structured professional growth opportunities.
Stressing that the platform is open to teachers in both public and private schools, he said that performance-based incentives would be reserved for public school teachers who complete certified training
On her part, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad, noted that empowering teachers is central to national education reform.
The Federal Government, she said, is firmly committed to policies and programmes that place teachers at the centre of education transformation.
"From teacher education and professional development to welfare, digital skills, and classroom support, our focus is clear: to build a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready education system.
"The National Teachers’ Summit is a strategic platform designed to strengthen the teaching profession and improve learning outcomes across the country. Its core purpose is to bring together teachers, policymakers, education leaders, regulators, unions, development partners, and private sector actors to jointly address challenges and advance reforms in the education sector.
"This summit provides a critical platform for honest dialogue, shared learning, and collective action. It is an opportunity to move beyond challenges and focus on practical, scalable solutions that strengthen teaching and learning across all levels of education in Nigeria." she stated
Speaking at the occasion, the President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Titus Amba, commended the federal government for organising the National Teachers’ Summit.
According to him, effective education depends on motivated, supported, and professional teachers.
The NUT President also commended government funding for teacher development programs and sought for sustained support to transform the education system.
He said “Education transmission can only be achieved if teachers are professionalised, friendly, motivated, and supported to guide the learning process.
“The teacher is always the teacher. We are proud to be here with our mother teachers of Nigeria. We commend the federal government for funding programmes that promote the professionalism of teachers in Nigeria,”
Other stakeholders also spoke at the opening ceremony of the summit, which will end on Wednesday 28th January, 2026.