Kaduna honours 23 exceptional teachers for excellence, dedication

The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) has honoured 23 outstanding teachers across the state’s local government areas for their exceptional performance, dedication, and contribution to improving learning outcomes.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Best Teacher Award Ceremony, the Executive Chairman of KADSUBEB, Mubarak Muhammad, described the event as a milestone in the state’s education sector and a celebration of excellence in teaching.

He said the initiative, in line with Governor Uba Sani’s SUSTAIN Agenda, recognised teachers as the backbone of development — the professionals who nurture talent, drive innovation, and shape the future of the next generation.

“The Best Teacher Award celebrates those with outstanding teaching skills, leadership, and commitment to education. While we often say the teacher’s reward is in heaven, Kaduna State believes it should also begin here on earth,” Muhammad said.

He explained that the award process was transparent and merit-based, coordinated by local government education authorities and supervised by respected institutions, including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM), and the State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA).

Over 115 nominees from the 23 local government areas underwent screening, interviews, and classroom observations before the final awardees were selected based on their professionalism, lesson delivery, and classroom management.

Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Sani Sambo, commended the teachers for their dedication and resilience, describing them as the “heart and soul” of Kaduna’s education system.

He said the awards aligned with his administration’s Governance and Transformation Agenda, which prioritises education as the cornerstone of development and empowerment.

“Since assuming office, we have invested heavily in education — increasing budgetary allocation to 25 per cent in 2024 and 26.14 per cent in 2025, constructing 62 new secondary schools, 707 classrooms, and renovating 2,326 classrooms across the state,” Sani said.

He also highlighted other initiatives, including the supply of over 30,000 student desks and 3,700 teacher furniture, a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions, expanded scholarship schemes, and the introduction of courses for Tsangaya teachers and Alarammas at Kaduna State University.

Governor Sani emphasised that education remains the most powerful tool to break poverty cycles and unlock the state’s potential, pledging continued investment in teacher welfare and motivation.

On behalf of the awardees, Esther Affun from Chikun LGA — who emerged as the overall best teacher in the state — expressed gratitude to the government for recognising their efforts.

She said the transparent selection process gave every teacher confidence that “hard work and commitment will always be recognised, regardless of location or background.”

Affun pledged that teachers across the state would remain dedicated to shaping the lives of children and upholding excellence in service.

In recognition of their achievements, each awardee received a ₦500,000 cash prize, a certificate of excellence, and an education scholarship from the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board to further their studies.

The initiative was supported by several partners, including UNICEF, Save the Children International (SCI), Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), Reaching Out-of-School Children Project (ROOSC), Nigerian Breweries, TRCN, and Zenith Bank.