Nigeria's education sector has received a significant international boost as two of its dedicated teachers have been selected among the world's top 50 educators. Adeola Akinsulure from Lagos and Tijani Mohammed Mukaddas from Abuja have earned a coveted spot on the shortlist for the prestigious GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026.
Innovation Against All Odds: The Story of Adeola Akinsulure
Adeola Akinsulure, who teaches biology at Omole Senior Grammar School in Ikeja, Lagos, has achieved remarkable success despite significant challenges. Her school, like many in Nigeria, deals with overcrowded classrooms and a severe lack of modern teaching technology. However, Akinsulure refused to let these limitations hinder her students' potential.
She developed a series of creative, low-cost teaching methods to make complex science concepts accessible and engaging. Her innovative approach includes using role-play activities, educational entertainment (edutainment), and producing short animated videos. These strategies have dramatically improved her students' comprehension and performance.
The results speak for themselves. Under her guidance, student pass rates in regional Biology examinations soared from a modest 45.3 per cent in 2021 to an impressive 99 per cent in 2022. Her influence extends far beyond her own classroom walls. Akinsulure has personally trained more than 30,000 pre-service and in-service teachers, empowering them with her effective strategies to create positive change in their own schools across the country.
Ending the Out-of-School Crisis: The Work of Tijani Mohammed Mukaddas
From the nation's capital, Tijani Mohammed Mukaddas is being recognized for his direct attack on one of Nigeria's most pressing educational issues: the out-of-school children crisis. As the founder and manager of the Transit School Initiative in Abuja, Mukaddas designed a revolutionary, flexible learning model.
His skills-based approach has been so successful that it made his community the first in Nigeria to record zero out-of-school children. This groundbreaking model has now been adopted at a national level, positively impacting the lives of over one million vulnerable children.
Mukaddas's methodology is comprehensive and adaptive. It includes:
- Mobile teaching units to reach children in remote or underserved areas.
- Digital recordings of lessons to ensure continuity of learning.
- Creating safe educational spaces specifically for girls facing social risks and barriers.
- Organizing house-to-house campaigns to enroll children in school.
- An accelerated curriculum that blends core academics with practical vocational training.
A Global Stage for Local Heroes
The GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize, run by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO, is the world's largest award of its kind. It aims to honor one exceptional teacher annually for their outstanding contribution to the profession. Sunny Varkey, founder of the prize, congratulated the Nigerian duo, stating that the award was created to highlight the dedication, creativity, and compassion of teachers worldwide.
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Education, echoed this sentiment, expressing honor in celebrating the extraordinary commitment of teachers everywhere alongside the Global Teacher Prize.
The journey is not over for Akinsulure and Mukaddas. The top 50 shortlist will soon be narrowed down to ten finalists. The ultimate winner of the Global Teacher Prize 2026 will be unveiled at the World Governments Summit in Dubai between February 3 and 5, 2026.
Their recognition on this global platform not only celebrates their individual achievements but also shines a powerful light on the resilience and innovation present within Nigeria's education system, inspiring educators across the nation and the continent.
