Anambra State has clinched the South East overall best award at the 2026 National Teachers Summit, while also securing second position at the national level, in a strong endorsement of the state’s growing reputation as a model for education reform and teacher development in Nigeria.
The prestigious recognition was announced at the National Teachers Summit organised by the Office of the Wife of the President in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education. The summit, which concluded on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, brought together education policymakers, teachers, administrators, development partners and stakeholders from across the country.
The summit was held under the theme, “Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability,” reflecting a renewed national focus on teacher welfare, capacity building and systemic reforms as the foundation for improving learning outcomes.
A major highlight of the event was the emergence of Chekwube Ifentike, a teacher at Government Technical College, Onitsha, as the winner of the first-ever national award of its kind for teachers. Ifentike, who represented Anambra State, received a cash prize of ₦25 million, drawing loud applause from participants and underscoring the increasing national recognition of excellence in teaching.
Anambra State’s dual achievement — emerging as the overall best in the South East and finishing second nationally — was widely described by observers as a reflection of sustained investments in education by the state government, particularly in teacher training, school infrastructure and curriculum innovation.
Reacting to the development, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, expressed delight at the outcome, describing the awards as tangible proof that the education policies of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo are yielding measurable results.
According to her, the recognition affirms the state government’s deliberate prioritisation of education as a cornerstone of human capital development and long-term economic growth.
“This is a clear demonstration that the commitment of the Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to the funding and reform of education is yielding the desired dividends,” Chuma-Udeh said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
She noted that the awards were not accidental but the outcome of strategic planning, sustained investment and accountability in the management of the education sector.
“These achievements represent the fruits of consistent investment in Anambra State’s education sector, especially in the areas of teacher motivation, professional development and improved learning environments,” she added.
The commissioner congratulated Chekwube Ifentike for making the state proud on the national stage, describing the teacher’s success as an inspiration to educators across Anambra and beyond.
“We congratulate the awardee, Chekwube Ifentike, for doing Anambra State proud. His achievement shows what is possible when teachers are supported, motivated and given the right environment to excel. We also urge other teachers to emulate this standard of dedication and professionalism,” Chuma-Udeh said.
Education stakeholders at the summit noted that the recognition of Anambra State aligns with a broader pattern of consistent performance by the state in national education assessments and award platforms in recent years.
Recall that on October 6, 2025, Punch Online reported that nine schools in Anambra State emerged winners at the 2025 President’s and Schools’ Excellence Awards, held as part of activities marking World Teachers’ Day at Eagle Square, Abuja.
At that event, Woliwo Primary School II, Onitsha, clinched the coveted award for “Overall Best School in Nigeria,” going home with the star prize of a brand-new 16-seater bus. The win was widely celebrated as a major milestone for public primary education in the state.
Other Anambra schools and teachers also distinguished themselves at the 2025 awards ceremony. Pinkberry International School, Odume Obosi, emerged as the first runner-up and was recognised as the best approved private primary school in Nigeria.
In the individual teacher categories, Emmanuel Ndibe of St. Theresa’s Secondary School, Enugwu Ukwu, won the first runner-up award for best approved private senior secondary school teacher in Nigeria. Similarly, Nkechi Ikedi of Pinkberry International Primary School, Odume Obosi, emerged as the first runner-up for best approved private primary school teacher in the country.
Education analysts say these repeated recognitions point to a coherent and results-driven education strategy in Anambra State, combining public and private sector participation, quality assurance, and performance-based incentives for teachers and schools.
At the 2026 National Teachers Summit, speakers repeatedly emphasised that empowering teachers remains the most effective pathway to strengthening Nigeria’s education system. Participants highlighted the need for better remuneration, continuous professional development, access to modern teaching tools and supportive leadership at all levels of government.
The summit also featured policy dialogues on teacher recruitment, deployment and retention, especially in technical and vocational education, an area where Anambra State has made notable progress through institutions such as Government Technical College, Onitsha.
For many delegates, the success of Chekwube Ifentike was symbolic of the untapped potential within Nigeria’s teaching workforce when excellence is recognised and rewarded.
As the summit drew to a close, there was a consensus that the Anambra example demonstrates how political will, strategic investment and a focus on teacher quality can translate into national recognition and, more importantly, improved educational outcomes.
With Anambra State once again in the national spotlight, expectations are high that the state will consolidate on these gains, deepen reforms and continue to position education as a central pillar of its development agenda.
