YOBE TEACHER WINS NORTH-EAST BEST, HONOURED WITH N25 MILLION NATIONAL AWARD

A Yobe State teacher, Gambo Lawan, has been named the Best Teacher in the North-East at the 2026 National Teachers Award Ceremony, organized by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Lawan, who teaches at Yerimaram Government Day Junior Secondary School in Potiskum, was announced as the regional winner during the event held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. She received a N25 million cash prize, recognizing her excellence, dedication, and innovative teaching practices, making her one of the top awardees nationally.

Officials of the Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board (YSUBEB) said the selection process was rigorous, transparent, and merit-based, focusing on professionalism, classroom innovation, and measurable student outcomes.

Speaking exclusively to our correspondent on Sunday, Lawan attributed her achievement to dedication and passion for teaching.

“I am extremely grateful to God for this recognition. It reflects years of hard work, patience, consistency, and love for teaching. This award inspires me to do even more for my students,” she said.

She admitted that the announcement came as a surprise. “Honestly, I was overwhelmed. I did not expect it, but I trusted that God’s will would prevail. This honour is not just for me but also for Yobe State and my school,” she added.

Lawan noted that the award has strengthened her resolve to contribute further to education. “This recognition places a greater responsibility on me. I promise to work harder, mentor younger teachers, and continue to instill knowledge, values, and discipline in my students,” she said.

Reacting to her win, YSUBEB Executive Chairman Umaru Hassan-Babayo said Lawan’s success has positively projected Yobe State at the national level.

“Her achievement highlights Yobe State’s emergence as a significant stakeholder in education. It reflects the state’s investments in education and human capital development,” he said, adding that the award validates the government’s commitment to supporting teachers and improving learning outcomes in public schools.

In addition to the N25 million cash prize, Lawan was also granted a tertiary education scholarship in recognition of her outstanding performance.

The recognition follows recent achievements by Yobe students, including Nafisa Abdullahi, Rukayya Muhammad-Fema, and Hadiza Kashim-Kalli, who won at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London, excelling in spelling bees, writing challenges, and knowledge quizzes.