By Obiageli Nwankwo
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has celebrated outstanding teachers and schools in grand style, rewarding them with cash prizes ranging from ₦10 million to ₦5 million during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at Chief Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
The event, described as a celebration with a difference, saw Woliwo Primary School II, Onitsha, the current holder of the Best Primary School in Nigeria award, receive ₦10 million, while other 2025 award winners got ₦5 million each. Past awardees of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards from 2022 to 2024 were also honoured with ₦5 million each.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Soludo praised teachers for their critical role in shaping future generations, noting that Anambra’s remarkable performance in national education awards is proof of their dedication. He highlighted that Anambra schools clinched nine national awards at the 2025 President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards,the highest in the country.
“Gone are the days when teachers’ rewards were said to be in heaven. Teachers deserve to be celebrated and rewarded daily because every profession begins with a teacher,” Soludo said.
He added that the success of Anambra’s education sector reflects the quality of its teachers, noting that literacy and numeracy levels have risen by 40% in just two years, while public school enrolment has significantly increased.
The governor also said that Anambra now has one of the lowest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria — almost zero percent.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accessible education, Soludo announced plans to establish Community Primary Schools in all communities without government schools. The first phase will commence in 25 of the 76 identified communities.
He further said that a new teacher recruitment exercise will soon begin, with details to be announced shortly. Soludo also hinted that the state government would soon introduce a State Teachers and Schools Excellence Award to encourage more educators and inspire future generations to join the teaching profession.
The event featured goodwill messages from top education stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh; Chairperson, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu; Chairperson, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Vera Nwadinobi; and Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Anayo Okpaleke.
They all commended Governor Soludo’s commitment to education and lauded the teachers for their dedication, describing them as the backbone of the state’s growing academic excellence.
Obiageli is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
