The Initiative for Education and Development (IDEE), a non-profit organization with operational bases in Borno, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Ogun State, has once again demonstrated its commitment to advancing quality education in Nigeria through its 8th edition of the *IDEE Teachers’ Prize*. The event, held in Iwopin, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, on November 22nd and 23rd, 2024, honored 27 exceptional educators for their dedication and impact.
This year’s theme, “Empowering Educators in the AI Era: Reversing the Teacher Shortage for a Future-Ready Education,” underscored the growing need for innovative and inclusive teaching approaches to prepare students for the demands of a rapidly evolving world. The theme highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and emphasized empowering teachers with tools and training to address the challenges of teacher shortages and equip learners with essential future-ready skills.
The IDEE Teachers’ Prize recognizes educators as the foundation of accessible and inclusive quality education. It aligns with Nigeria’s National Teachers’ Education Policy by incorporating a *Continuing Professional Career Path* into its *Teachers Development Programme (TDP)*. Through a rigorous selection process, the IDEE identified the Top 10 teachers from across Nigeria, inviting them to a grand finale where the national winner was crowned the IDEE Teacher of the Year.
The 27 awards were distributed across five distinct categories:
The top three educators from the Top 10 finalists were recognized for their outstanding contributions to teaching and learning excellence in Nigeria, Three exceptional teachers from Ogun Waterside were honored for their remarkable efforts in overcoming challenges posed by their rural settings and preparing students to compete globally in science and the arts. Outstanding past winners of the IDEE Teachers’ Prize who have gone on to achieve national and international recognition—such as the Maltina Teacher of the Year, Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Fellowship, and Limitless Global Educators—were commended for their contributions to the success of this year’s event.
Past winners who have elevated the IDEE Teachers’ Prize to global prominence through their accomplishments were celebrated for their advocacy and leadership. Exceptional educators who played key roles as judges and mentors in this year’s competition received accolades for their dedication to advancing the teaching profession.
This year’s event featured a hybrid format, incorporating both in-person and virtual training sessions to maximize participation from educators nationwide and globally. Testimonials from participating teachers affirmed the transparency and credibility of the selection process, with many describing the 2024 IDEE Teachers’ Prize as the most structured and impactful edition to date.
The event was chaired by *Kayode Adewale*, a past winner of the IDEE Teachers’ Prize and an award-winning educator with accolades including Fulbright TEA Fellow (2023), 2nd Runner-Up for Best Teacher in Nigeria (2023), and Limitless Global Educator.
The keynote address was delivered by *Olalekan Adeeko, a Microsoft MVP, Certified Trainer, and Learning Data Analyst, who emphasized the transformative power of technology in education. The event also welcomed **Esomnofu Chidiebube Ifechukwu*, winner of the 2024 Maltina Teacher of the Year, as the Special Guest of Honour.
The Chief Host, *Kabiru Abass*, Technical Monitor for WISE/WICE and a member of IDEE’s Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to all participants and acknowledged their trust in the selection process. He encouraged more teachers to participate in future editions, reinforcing IDEE’s commitment to celebrating and empowering educators across Nigeria.
The IDEE Teachers’ Prize remains a beacon of inspiration, fostering a culture of excellence in teaching and paving the way for a future-ready education system in Nigeria.
