ABUJA, Oct. 6, 2025 — The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Monday presented its Golden Award of Excellence for education and “teacher friendliness” to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo during the World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The award ceremony, held at Eagle Square, brought together teachers, education officials and several state governors. The NUT said the honour recognised governors whose policies and actions have shown clear support for teachers’ welfare and the development of basic and secondary education.

Audu Titus Amba, president of the NUT, led the presentation of awards during the event. The union also gave Golden Awards to other governors it described as teacher-friendly, including the governors of Adamawa and Kebbi states. Governor Ododo thanked teachers and pledged to continue policies that improve pay, training and school infrastructure in Kogi State. Officials said the governor’s administration has worked on several programmes to support teachers and students, though the state government did not immediately provide a public list of new spending or hires tied directly to the award.

The World Teachers’ Day event highlighted national efforts to “recast teaching as a collaborative profession,” a theme emphasised by education officials who attended. Speakers included the Minister of State for Education and representatives from UNESCO and the National Information Technology Development Agency. They urged governments to prioritise teacher development and stronger school systems.

Union leaders used the platform to remind state and federal authorities of long-standing demands from teachers, such as better salaries, timely payment of allowances, and broader access to training. NUT leaders praised governors who had taken steps to meet these demands and encouraged others to follow suit.

Education experts attending the celebration said public recognition can push more states to invest in teachers. “Awards are useful when they match clear actions — such as hiring, training and paying teachers — and when they encourage accountability,” said a senior education policy analyst who attended the event and asked not to be named. This expert noted that independent data on state education spending would be needed to judge the long-term impact of such awards. (Analysis based on event coverage and expert comments.)

The federal government reiterated its support for teachers at the gathering. Officials told the audience they remain committed to policies that strengthen teacher professionalism and improve learning outcomes. The NUT also used the day to call for national and state policies that will make teaching a more attractive and secure career.

The NUT’s Golden Award is one of several recognitions given at the annual World Teachers’ Day ceremony. Organisers said the awards aim to spotlight positive actions by state governments while pushing for wider reforms across the country’s education sector.
Reporting by Daily Trust and Premium Times coverage; additional reporting from event participants and education experts.