Lagos Biology Teacher Akinsulure Among Global Top Ten in 2026 Prize

Nigeria has again drawn global attention in the education sector as Adeola Olufunke Akinsulure, a teacher at Omole Senior Grammar School, Ikeja, Lagos State, has been selected among the top ten finalists for the 2026 Global Teacher Prize.

Akinsulure emerged from a highly competitive global pool, earning recognition for her outstanding contributions to STEM education, student mentorship, girls’ empowerment and environmental sustainability. Her selection places her among the world’s most impactful educators and underscores Nigeria’s growing presence in global education innovation.

Trained in Biochemistry, Education and Business Administration, Akinsulure is widely known for her creative approach to teaching biology. By combining edutainment, indigenous storytelling, role play and affordable digital tools, she has transformed learning experiences for her students. Data from the school show that her students’ performance in biology improved dramatically, with pass rates rising from 45.3 per cent in 2021 to 99 per cent in 2022, a trend that has been sustained.

Her influence extends beyond Omole Senior Grammar School through the SOAR+T Teaching Model, a scalable teaching framework that integrates technology, gamified assessments, mentorship and real-world problem-solving. Through workshops and digital platforms, she has trained over 30,000 teachers within and outside Nigeria, contributing to improved teaching practices across the region.

Students under her mentorship have achieved notable successes at local, national and international levels. The school has received multiple awards, including Best School in the District from 2023 to 2025 and recognition among the Top 50 Schools in West Africa in 2024. Her students have also excelled in debate, environmental advocacy and entrepreneurship-focused competitions.

Akinsulure is equally active in global citizenship education. She has coordinated Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) programmes with schools in the United States and facilitated cross-cultural engagements through a Fulbright network spanning 22 countries. These initiatives have opened international learning opportunities for students, including full scholarship-supported programmes.

Her social impact work includes the establishment of REACHHer Hub and the Confident Girls, Healthy Choices initiative, which focus on leadership development and menstrual health education for adolescent girls. Through these platforms, more than 500 girls across 106 schools have benefited from training and access to essential hygiene materials.

In the area of environmental sustainability, Akinsulure has led initiatives such as plastic recycling and upcycling projects, tree-planting campaigns and the creation of the Environmental Bees Club.

These efforts have repurposed thousands of kilograms of plastic waste and earned official recognition for her school from environmental authorities in Lagos State.
The Global Teacher Prize celebrates educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication and innovation in transforming lives through education. Akinsulure’s inclusion among the top ten finalists is widely regarded as a major achievement for Nigeria and a testament to the impact of committed teachers within the public school system.