Nigerian schools urged to compete for $1M Global Schools Prize

Peter Tabichi, the 2019 Global Teacher Prize laureate, has called on Nigerian schools to seize the opportunity of the newly launched $1 million Global Schools Prize, which celebrates institutions redefining the future of education.

The prize, created by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO, is designed to recognise the world’s most impactful and innovative schools.

It builds on the success of the Global Teacher Prize and the Global Student Prize, completing what founder Sunny Varkey described as a “trilogy that honours educators, learners, and schools as agents of transformation.”

The award will spotlight schools demonstrating bold initiatives across 10 categories, including artificial intelligence transformation, sustainability, peacebuilding, inclusive education, teacher development, health and wellbeing, and STEM innovation.

While 10 category winners will each receive $50,000, one exceptional school will be crowned the Global Schools Prize laureate, taking home $500,000 to expand its vision.

Longlisted schools will receive the Global Schools Prize Badge, a mark of global excellence, and entry into a worldwide network of leading schools, unlocking collaboration and professional development opportunities.

A distinguished Global Schools Prize Council will oversee the award. It is co-chaired by Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education, and Dame Christine Ryan, former Ofsted Chair, alongside leaders such as Andreas Schleicher of the OECD and former heads of state and ministers of education. Past winners of the Global Teacher and Student Prizes will also serve as judges.

Encouraging Nigerian schools to participate, Tabichi said: “I have seen how schools in Nigeria face challenges with creativity and heart. This prize is a chance to showcase their innovation on the global stage.”

Applications are open to both public and private schools worldwide at www.globalschoolsprize.org, with winners set to be unveiled in 2025.

The initiative, organisers say, is not just an award but a movement to inspire global collaboration, scale groundbreaking ideas, and reimagine education for generations to come.