Yobe Teacher Emerges North-East Best, Wins ₦25m National Award

A teacher from Yobe State, Gambo Lawan, has emerged as the Best Teacher in the North-East geopolitical zone, clinching a ₦25 million cash prize at the 2026 National Teachers Award organised by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Lawan, who teaches at Yerimaram Government Day Junior Secondary School, Potiskum, was honoured during the award ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as part of activities marking the Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026. Officials said her selection followed a rigorous and merit-based assessment that considered professional competence, classroom innovation, commitment to duty, and measurable impact on students’ learning outcomes. The process involved nominations and evaluations across the six geopolitical zones. Speaking after receiving the award, Lawan expressed gratitude to the organisers and the Yobe State Government, attributing her success to dedication, consistency, patience, and passion for teaching. She said the recognition would further motivate her to contribute to the development of education and mentor younger teachers. In recognition of her achievement, the Yobe State Government also announced a tertiary education scholarship for the award-winning teacher to support her professional growth. The National Teachers Award is part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to reward excellence in teaching and reposition the profession as a critical driver of national development. At the summit, outstanding teachers from across the country were recognised, with reports indicating that hundreds of millions of naira were disbursed as prizes to top performers nationwide. Speaking at the event, dignitaries reiterated the need to prioritise teachers’ welfare and continuous professional development, describing educators as central to Nigeria’s social and economic transformation.