Iyunade Grace
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has rewarded Solanke Francis Taiwo, the Overall Best Primary School Teacher in Nigeria for 2025/2026, with a two-bedroom bungalow and a brand-new car. The bungalow will be allocated to Solanke in any location of his choice under the State Housing Scheme, while the car was donated by the Federal Government .
Solanke, a teacher at Ansa-Ur-Deen Main School I, Kemta Lawa, Abeokuta, received the award at the National Teachers’ Summit in Abuja, where he was also given a cash prize of ₦50 million. Governor Abiodun praised Solanke’s dedication and innovation, saying it reflects the state government’s commitment to rewarding excellence in education
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbagbu, attributed Solanke’s achievement to the Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda, which focuses on students’ and teachers’ welfare. He noted that the state has seen significant improvements in education, with students winning 18 out of 24 awards in the JETS competitions.
Governor Abiodun reiterated his administration’s commitment to continuous training and retraining of teachers through workshops, seminars, digitisation initiatives, and AI-powered teaching platforms. He also highlighted the state’s progress in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with five states showing interest in understudying Ogun’s model.
Solanke expressed gratitude to the governor for creating a conducive environment for teachers and learners, saying the state’s investment in education is paying off. He promised to continue giving his best to make Ogun State proud.
The award is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to recognize and reward outstanding teachers across the country. The government has introduced a comprehensive reward scheme to honor exceptional educators, with 11 teachers receiving ₦25 million each .
The recognition of Solanke’s achievement has been welcomed by many, with calls for more teachers to be recognized and rewarded for their hard work. The Ogun State government has demonstrated its commitment to education, and this award is a testament to that.
