By Tony Onyima
Anambra State again affirmed its reputation as Nigeria’s education pacesetter as its schools and teachers clinched nine national awards at the 2025 President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The ceremony’s highlight was Woliwo Primary School II, Onitsha, which emerged as the Overall Best School in Nigeria, winning the Star Prize of a 16-seater bus as the top-performing school nationwide.
Other awardees from Anambra included Pinkberry International School, Odume Obosi, which was named First Runner-Up for Best Approved Private Primary School in Nigeria; Emmanuel Ndibe of St. Theresa’s Secondary School, Enugwu Ukwu, who emerged First Runner-Up for Best Approved Private Senior Secondary School Teacher; and Nkechi Ikedi of Pinkberry International Primary School, Odume Obosi, who received the First Runner-Up award for Best Approved Private Primary School Teacher.
Public schools in the state also performed impressively. Government Secondary School (GSS), Ojoto, took the First-Runner-up position for Best Public Junior Secondary School in Nigeria, while Cosmas Nwata of Igbariam Farm Settlement Primary School was adjudged the First-Runner-up for Best Public Primary School Teacher.
In the administrators’ category, Amaka Ubaka of Prince Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha, won First Runner-Up for Best Public Senior Secondary School Administrator; Okafor Ngozi of Community High School, Nkwelle Ezunaka, earned the First Runner-Up award for Best Public Junior Secondary School Administrator; and Edozieobi Nnenna of Model Primary School, Akabor Ojoto, received the First Runner-Up prize for Best Public Primary School Administrator. Each awardee went home with a brand-new laptop to recognise their excellence and contribution to the nation’s education development.
Presenting the awards, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, congratulated the winners and lauded Anambra State for its consistent record of excellence, describing the state as a model for others in promoting quality teaching and learning.
Reacting to the remarkable performance, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, expressed deep appreciation to the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo (Odenigbo Aguata), for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming the education sector.
Prof. Chuma-Udeh, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Ifeoma Agbaizu led the Anambra education family to the event in Abuja. She noted that the governor’s immediate employment of teachers upon assumption of office, his free education policy, and the establishment of smart schools across the state have revitalised the system and positioned Anambra schools for sustained excellence.
“By ending the era of schools without teachers, introducing free education, and equipping our schools with modern learning tools, Governor Soludo has empowered our teachers and pupils to compete favorably at national and global levels,” Prof. Chuma-Udeh stated.
She congratulated Woliwo Primary School II, Onitsha, and Pinkberry International School, Odume Obosi, for making Anambra proud and expressed confidence that, with Governor Soludo’s return, the state’s schools would be further repositioned for greater achievements.
In their separate remarks, the Headteachers of the two top-performing schools, Mrs Francisca Odiegwu of Woliwo Primary School II and Mrs Royaline Amarachi Ikebuaso of Pinkberry International School, expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo for “bringing life back” to the education sector. They pledged to continue delivering globally competitive education in line with the governor’s vision for a 21st-century learning environment.
With nine national awards, Anambra State once again demonstrated that excellence in education is not by chance but by deliberate policy, visionary leadership, and committed teachers.
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