Teachers of the Year Awards

Teachers shape children’s learning, confidence and aspirations. Their contribution is particularly valuable in public schools where limited resources and staffing shortages place additional demands on educators.

Through its annual Teachers of the Year Awards, GIPSED celebrates outstanding teachers and school leaders and recognizes their service to grassroots communities.

The initiative also has personal significance for co-founder Dr Michael Olugbile. As the son of a teacher, Chief Evangelist Racheal O. Olugbile, he grew up with an appreciation of the role educators play in shaping children’s futures.

How the programme began

GIPSED established the annual awards in 2021, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Odo-Otin LGA branch, as part of World Teachers’ Day celebrations.

In 2022, the initiative expanded across Odo-Otin, Ifelodun and Boripe LGAs, working with the local chapters of NUT, ANCOPSS and AOPHSON.

By 2024, the programme had reached its fourth annual edition, reflecting a continuing commitment to recognizing educators and their contribution to public education.

Five categories of recognition

The awards recognize excellence in classroom teaching, school leadership and service to the teaching profession:

Principal of the Year

Headteacher of the Year

Teacher of the Year — Secondary School Category

Teacher of the Year — Primary School Category

NUT Meritorious Leadership Award, recognizing a deserving member of the NUT executive.

Award presentations have included certificates, trophies and cash gifts.

How recipients are selected

Recognition by fellow educators

Recipients are selected through nominations and voting by fellow educators, giving colleagues a direct role in identifying teachers and school leaders whose dedication deserves recognition.

GIPSED coordinates the process with the Nigeria Union of Teachers and associations representing secondary school principals and primary school headteachers, through ANCOPSS and AOPHSON.

The programme emphasizes transparency and fairness, drawing on educators’ knowledge of their colleagues’ contributions.

GIPSED’s Education Committee supports the organization and delivery of the awards. Its members are Mrs Bunmi Adewuyi, Mr Adesoye Adesayo and Comrade Zaccheaus Abegunde, working with GIPSED Project Manager, Mr Olaniyan Oluwaseun. The committee also contributes to GIPSED’s wider education programmes.

A partnership with teachers

The awards recognize both the work teachers do in schools and their contribution to community development. Teachers and school leaders also help GIPSED deliver scholarships, examination sponsorship and other educational support.

The initiative complements GIPSED’s Teacher Recruitment and Support programme. Together, they address staffing needs while celebrating the commitment of educators serving public schools.

Annual celebrations and award recipients

The programme’s annual record will feature recipients’ names, schools, LGAs and award categories, alongside the number of educators recognized and details of the awards presented.

A dedicated photo gallery for each year will document the ceremonies and presentations across participating LGAs. Photographs will be accompanied by captions identifying the occasion, location and award recipients, with accounts of their contributions where available.