The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) has honored 23 teachers across the state’s Local Government Areas for their exceptional performance, dedication, and commitment to teaching.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the Executive Chairman of KADSUBEB, Mr. Mubarak Muhammad, said the event was not just a celebration but a defining moment for education in Kaduna State, noting that it was the first of its kind to recognize basic school teachers.
Muhammad explained that in line with Governor Uba Sani’s SUSTAIN Agenda, teachers are regarded as key drivers of change, responsible for developing and transforming other resources while shaping the future of children.
He said teachers remain at the forefront of improving learning outcomes and promoting equal opportunities, stressing that their commitment to excellence and continuous learning fuels societal progress and human development.
According to him, the Best Teacher Award was introduced to celebrate teachers with outstanding leadership, skills, and dedication to education. The initiative, he said, also aims to promote professionalism, inspire character, and motivate other educators across the state.
Muhammad noted that while it is often said that a teacher’s reward is in heaven, Kaduna State believes such recognition should also begin on earth. He added that the Best Teacher Award Programme has now become a permanent feature in the state’s education calendar.
He explained that nominees were selected through a transparent process coordinated by the Local Government Education Authorities and judged based on professional knowledge, teaching skills, and adherence to the Teachers’ Code of Conduct.
A total of 115 nominees from the 23 LGAs underwent rigorous screening, interviews, and classroom observations, which included independent evaluations of lesson delivery, time management, and classroom control.
Muhammad said the process was supervised by credible institutions, including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM), Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA), National Union of Teachers (NUT), School-Based Management Committees (SBMC), and the Ministry of Education, ensuring fairness and transparency.
He added that all nominees were winners, commending their resilience and urging them not to relent, while congratulating the award recipients for inspiring future generations in the state.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Sani Sambo, commended KADSUBEB for organizing the maiden edition of the Best Teacher Award Ceremony and thanked all education stakeholders for their support.
He described teachers as the heart and soul of the education system — dedicated professionals shaping the lives of children daily.
Governor Sani said the initiative aligns with his administration’s Governance Agenda, which places education at the centre of development and empowerment.
He noted that since assuming office on May 29, 2023, his administration has been committed to providing accessible, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments, supported by increased budgetary allocations to education.
According to him, education received 25% of the 2024 state budget, while 26.14% was allocated in 2025, demonstrating genuine commitment to human capital development.
He disclosed that the government has built 62 new secondary schools, 707 new classrooms, and renovated 2,326 classrooms across the state to expand access and improve infrastructure for effective teaching and learning.
Sani also said 30,742 two-seater pupil furniture and 3,704 teachers’ furniture were supplied, while tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions were reduced by 50%. He added that scholarships were improved and vocational training institutes were commissioned to empower youths.
“These investments underscore our belief that education is the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty and unlock the potential of our people,” he said.
The governor described teachers as the architects of the future and catalysts for societal transformation, assuring that his administration is implementing policies to empower, motivate, and support them in their duties.
On behalf of the awardees, Mrs. Esther Affun from Chikun LGA expressed gratitude to the state government for recognizing teachers’ sacrifices. She said the transparent process that produced the winners has given every teacher confidence that hard work and commitment will always be rewarded.
Affun pledged that teachers would continue to give their best to improve education in the state.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board, Prof. Yahaya Ibrahim, announced scholarships for all awardees to further their education.
Mrs. Esther Affun of Chikun LGA emerged as the Overall Best Teacher among the 23 awardees. Each recipient received a ₦500,000 cheque and a certificate of recognition.
Partners supporting the initiative include 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.
