The presentation took place at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, in the presence of the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbagbu, and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oloko. The gesture, according to state officials, is part of a broader policy of recognising and rewarding excellence within the public education system.
Validation of education reforms
Speaking at the event, Prof. Arigbagbu described the teacher’s national recognition as a direct outcome of sustained reforms under the Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda. He noted that the administration’s consistent and structured investments in the sector have begun to yield measurable results.
“When you do things consistently and efficiently, you will continue to record results. We have been winning 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.
The commissioner explained that the state’s declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector paved the way for wide-ranging reforms anchored on six pillars: curriculum development, school management, technology and innovation, infrastructure, funding and revenue generation, and the welfare of students and teachers.
According to him, progress across these pillars has repositioned Ogun as a leading state in education performance nationwide.
From state champion to national winner
Beyond his recognition at the state level, Solanke went on to clinch the national title in Abuja — a development Arigbagbu described as proof that the state’s awards are merit-based and reflective of real improvements in teaching standards.
“It shows that when we say someone has emerged as the best teacher, it is not cosmetic. It confirms that the entire education sector has truly been revitalised. Ogun State remains number one in education, and we cannot afford to go backwards,” he added.
The commissioner also highlighted Ogun’s performance in national academic competitions, particularly the JETS contests, where students from the state reportedly won 18 out of 24 available awards in a single year, with one student claiming nine. He attributed the dominance to consistent investment and close monitoring of learning outcomes over the past six years.
Model for technical and digital education
On technical and vocational education, Prof. Arigbagbu revealed that five states have expressed interest in studying Ogun’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) model, as well as its digitisation drive. He added that both the Federal Government and the National Board for Technical Education have commended the state’s strides in modernising the sector.
The governor’s decision to reward the award-winning teacher with a car, he said, is intended to inspire others within the system to strive for excellence. He reiterated that the administration remains committed to continuous teacher training through workshops, seminars, digitisation initiatives and AI-powered teaching platforms.
A teacher’s gratitude
In his remarks, Solanke expressed appreciation to the governor for fostering what he described as a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
“I feel excited and fulfilled. I want to appreciate our education-friendly governor for this great honour — for celebrating excellence, innovation and transformational impact among teachers across the state,” he said.
He pledged to continue giving his best and to collaborate with fellow educators to sustain Ogun State’s reputation for educational excellence. He also encouraged teachers across the state to remain committed to improving learning outcomes and nurturing the potential of every pupil in their care.
The ceremony, beyond celebrating an individual achievement, underscored the administration’s broader message: that educational reform, when backed by policy consistency and investment, can translate into national recognition and renewed pride for public school teachers.