The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) has honoured 23 teachers from various local government areas across the state for their exceptional dedication and hard work in imparting knowledge to learners.
In his address, Mr Mubarak Muhammad, the Executive Chairman of KADSUBEB, remarked that the event was not merely a ceremony but a pivotal moment for education in the state, marking the first occasion dedicated to recognising basic school teachers.
He elaborated that in line with the SUSTAIN Agenda of Governor Uba Sani, teachers are valued as the key resources that create, develop, and transform other resources, thereby driving change and shaping the future of the children.
Muhammad emphasised that teachers play a crucial role in enhancing learning outcomes and ensuring equal opportunities, noting that their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement is vital for societal change and human development.
He explained that the ‘Best Teacher Award’ was instituted to celebrate educators who demonstrate outstanding skills, leadership, and dedication to the field of education, adding that this initiative would also encourage professionalism and character development among students.
He highlighted the adage, “the teacher’s reward is in heaven,” but asserted that Kaduna State believes recognition should commence on earth through the Best Teacher Award Programme, which has now become a permanent fixture.
The nominees were selected through a transparent process coordinated by Local Government Education Authorities, evaluated on their professional knowledge, teaching skills, and adherence to the Teacher Code of Conduct.
Muhammad noted that 115 nominees from 23 local government areas underwent thorough screening, interviews, and classroom observations, with an independent evaluation of lesson delivery, time management, and classroom management.
He also mentioned that respected institutions, including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM), and the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA), were involved in ensuring the credibility and fairness of the selection process, along with the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the State School-Based Management Committees (SBMC), and the Ministry of Education.
The KADSUBEB chairman asserted that the results instilled confidence that those honoured truly represent the best of Kaduna’s teachers, whose influence on pupils and society is invaluable.
He celebrated all the nominees as winners, commending their resilience and urging them not to relent, while congratulating the award recipients for inspiring future generations in the state.
Governor Sani expressed gratitude to KADSUBEB for organising the inaugural Best Teacher Award Ceremony and to stakeholders for their invaluable support to education in the state.
Represented by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Prof. Sani Sambo, Sani stated that the gathering served to celebrate excellence and honour the dedicated professionals who are the heart and soul of the educational system, shaping the lives of children every day.
He remarked that the initiative aligns with his administration’s Governance Agenda, which acknowledges the central role of education in development and empowerment.
Sani stressed that education remains the cornerstone of his transformation agenda.
Since taking office on 29 May 2023, the administration has committed to creating accessible, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments, supporting this commitment with increased budgetary allocations to education.
He revealed that in 2024, 25 per cent of the state’s budget was earmarked for education, with the allocation increasing to 26.14 per cent in 2025, demonstrating a genuine commitment to human capital development.
Sani noted that his administration has constructed 62 new secondary schools, built 707 new classrooms, and renovated 2,326 classrooms across the state to expand access and improve infrastructure for effective teaching and learning.
Additionally, 30,742 two-seater pupil desks and 3,704 teachers’ desks have been supplied, alongside a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions and enhanced state scholarships for learners.
He explained that courses for Tsangaya teachers and Alarammas have been introduced at Kaduna State University, and three of Nigeria’s largest vocational training and skills institutes have been commissioned to empower youths.
Sani affirmed that these investments underscore his belief that education is the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty and unlock the vast potential of the people of Kaduna State.
He concluded that teachers are the architects of the future, catalysts for societal transformation, and unsung heroes building a fairer, stronger, and more prosperous state through their resilience and passion, despite challenges.
The Kaduna State Government is not merely applauding teachers from the sidelines but is implementing concrete policies to empower, motivate, and support them in fulfilling their vital responsibilities.
He congratulated the awardees on their well-deserved recognition, expressing hope that the awards would inspire other teachers across the state to recommit themselves to excellence in education.
On behalf of the awardees, Mrs Esther Affun from Chikun LGA stated that the awards were a significant honour and recognition of the daily sacrifices made by teachers.
She expressed that the awards would encourage them to recommit to shaping the lives of children in Kaduna State.
Affun highlighted that the transparent process that determined the winners instilled confidence among all teachers that hard work and dedication would be acknowledged, regardless of location, background, or circumstance.
She added that the initiative would motivate teachers across the 23 local government areas to continue delivering their best, feeling valued and appreciated by the government and society.
Affun thanked the state government, partners, and stakeholders for supporting the programme, pledging to remain committed to excellence and to raising the standard of education in Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prof. Yahaya Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board, has also offered scholarships to all awardees to further their education.
Furthermore, Mrs Esther Affun from Chikun LGA was specially recognised as the overall best teacher among the 23 LGAs of the state.
The awardees were presented with cheques of N500,000 each and certificates.
The initiative received support from various organisations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), Save the Children International (SCI), Reaching Out-of-School Children Project (ROOSC), Nigerian Breweries, TRCN, and Zenith Bank, among others.
