The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Education, has partnered with Guinness World Record holder Oluwasheyi Anifowoshe to host a 200,000-capacity teachers’ conference aimed at advancing the teaching profession nationwide.
During a courtesy visit by the record holder in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa affirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the 2026 “Let There Be Teachers” conference initiative is successfully realised.
“With the conference that you’ve proposed, we will collaborate with you; we’ll support you because the more mobilisation, advocacy, conferences, and opportunities we provide to teachers, and the more we enlighten society about them, the better it will be for the country. We have to take the bull by the horn.
“The teaching profession is the best profession in the country and globally. It is the foundation of any nation’s economy. We need to echo that,” he said.
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He stressed that a nation with the best teachers produces the best students, and therefore every effort should be made to improve teachers’ welfare and professional development.
“The global advocacy that you’re promoting will ensure that teachers are more respected, rewarded, and recognised, hence our support,” he stated.
Dr. Alausa further explained that the ministry was taking all necessary steps to advance the mandate of President Bola Tinubu, who instructed that every child in the country must get the highest quality of education.
“To achieve this, we need the highest quality of teachers. And that is exactly what we are pursuing,” he noted, highlighting that teachers’ welfare remains a priority alongside the enhancement of technology and other educational infrastructure to improve learning outcomes nationwide.
The Guinness World Record plaque won by Oluwasheyi was presented to the minister as a mark that will continue to inspire excellence and innovation in the education sector.
The Minister commended Oluwasheyi for winning the Guinness World Record in 2025 by organising a conference for 15,000 teachers, saying it promoted Nigeria positively.
He said; “I’m pleased to receive you today, Mr Oluwasheyi, and congratulate you for putting Nigeria, our country, on the positive side, for making our president proud. Congratulations for putting Nigeria in the spotlight in a positive way.
“Not the negativity about Nigeria that many in the world are used to. I am using this opportunity to tell Nigerians that we need to speak well and talk positively about this country.”
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, also congratulated Oluwasheyi on the achievement, calling it significant for the nation. She stressed the importance of teachers in the ministry’s work.
“You have already seen one part of what we have done because it is publicly unveiled. But there are other things that we are doing on the ground that are also for the teachers. We thank you for caring about the Nigerian teacher,” she said.
Earlier, Oluwasheyi explained that the “Let There Be Teachers” conference, themed “From Record to Reform: A National Hope Attempt for Teachers”, was designed to honour and respect teachers.
He noted that the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu and the efforts of the ministry to advance education.
Oluwasheyi said the conference, which will accommodate 200,000 teachers, would be held in 37 locations nationwide, ensuring a unified voice.
“The idea is that we’re going to gather 200,000 teachers nationwide, with over 20,000 teachers in Abuja, and at least 5,000 teachers in each of the 36 states. That’s why we are here to seek the support of the honourable minister to make this event a success,” he said.
Oluwasheyi explained that the vision of the conference is to drive a global advocacy movement that ensures teachers are respected.
“You know, there are three core things we really value. One, teachers must be respected, rewarded, empowered, given opportunities for personal and professional development, and recognised and honoured in society,” he said.
Oluwasheyi commended the Minister for organising the Teachers Summit earlier this year, where educators were rewarded with cash prizes running into millions of naira, as well as houses and cars
