Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced a N5 million cash prize and a bungalow for Kayode Adewale, a math teacher from Imagbon/Imaka Comprehensive High School, who recently gained global recognition as a finalist for the $1 million Global Teacher Prize. Adewale was named among the top 50 educators worldwide for his innovative teaching methods, which include incorporating technology and using the local language to teach mathematics.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, when Governor Abiodun commended Adewale’s outstanding contributions to education and named him the Ogun State Education Ambassador.

“Today, as a government committed to fostering excellence, we are proud to honor Kayode Adewale as the Ogun State Education Ambassador. To commemorate this achievement, we will provide him with a bungalow in any part of Ogun State of his choice. Additionally, we will support him with a cash prize of N5,000,000 to further inspire his outstanding work in education,” the governor declared.

The governor praised Adewale for his humility, innovation, and unwavering dedication to uplifting his community through education. He added that Adewale’s achievement reflects the potential of Ogun State’s educators on the global stage and serves as an inspiration to other teachers.

Adewale’s recognition stems from his creative teaching style, which has significantly improved math proficiency among his students while making the subject more accessible through the use of technology and local dialects.

In response, Adewale expressed his gratitude for the recognition and pledged to continue working to transform education in his community. The bungalow, which Adewale can choose to have built anywhere in the state, along with the cash reward, underscores the Ogun State government’s commitment to recognizing and supporting educators who go above and beyond in their service.

This landmark gesture is expected to inspire more educators across the state to strive for excellence and contribute to the development of education in Nigeria.