PICTORIAL: Ogun Governor Rewards ‘Nigeria’s Best Primary School Teacher’ With Brand New Car

Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has presented a brand new car to Mr. Solanke Francis Taiwo, a primary school teacher at Ansa-Ur-Deen Main School I, Kemta, Abeokuta, in recognition of his emergence as Nigeria’s Overall Best Primary School Teacher.

The presentation took place at the governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, with the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbagbu, and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oloko, in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Arigbagbu described Mr. Solanke’s achievement as further evidence of the administration’s sustained investment and reforms in the education sector. He noted that Ogun State has continued to record notable successes at state and national levels due to consistent and well-implemented policies.

“When you do things consistently and efficiently, the results will speak for themselves. We have won the Best Teacher Award back-to-back. This same teacher won in October and has now emerged as the overall best teacher in Nigeria,” he said.

According to the commissioner, the Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda—anchored on six pillars, including curriculum development, school management, technology and innovation, infrastructure, funding, and the welfare of students and teachers—has driven the sector’s transformation.

He explained that the declaration of a state of emergency in education created the momentum for far-reaching reforms, adding that the state’s performance in national competitions reflects the depth of those changes.

“Our consistent achievements are proof that the transformation is real. Once sound policies are in place, excellence naturally follows,” Arigbagbu added.

He further disclosed that beyond excelling at the state level, Mr. Solanke went on to clinch the national title in Abuja, describing the feat as validation that Ogun’s education reforms are not cosmetic but impactful.

Highlighting the state’s track record, the commissioner recalled Ogun State’s dominance in past JETS competitions, where its students won 18 out of 24 awards in a single year. He also revealed that several states have expressed interest in understudying Ogun’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) model and education digitisation initiatives, which have attracted commendation from the Federal Government and relevant regulatory bodies.

Arigbagbu stressed that the car reward was meant to motivate teachers across the state, reaffirming the government’s commitment to recognising excellence and supporting continuous professional development through training, digitisation, and AI-driven teaching platforms.

In his response, Mr. Solanke expressed gratitude to the governor for fostering a conducive environment for teaching and learning, noting that the state’s investments and reforms have translated into improved outcomes for both teachers and students.

“I feel excited and fulfilled. I appreciate our education-friendly governor for celebrating excellence, innovation, and transformational impact in the sector. I remain committed to giving my best and working with other educators to sustain Ogun State’s reputation for educational excellence,” he said.

He also encouraged fellow teachers to remain dedicated to excellence, urging them to continually improve learning outcomes and inspire every student under their care.

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