Dr Mary Adebayo of Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School (Senior), Obantoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has emerged Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher for 2026 at the Federal Government’s President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards, which recognises teachers, school administrators and schools across different categories.
Adebayo received the national recognition during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja, where she was rewarded with a brand-new car as the star prize.
While receiving the car on Teacher’s day, she expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying she had continued teaching without knowing that her efforts would earn her such a reward.
“I started this work in a private school. I kept doing the work, I did not know the Lord will reward me this way,” she said.