Nigerian teachers have one month to apply for the 2027 GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize, a $1 million award recognising outstanding educators worldwide, with applications and nominations closing on October 12, 2026.
The prize, established by education philanthropist Sunny Varkey through the Varkey Foundation, is in its 11th edition and has received more than 100,000 applications and nominations since its launch in 2015. The Varkey Foundation confirms that applications and nominations for the 2027 prize are currently open.
The eligibility criteria for the 2027 edition have also been expanded to reflect the changing nature of education. In addition to conventional classroom teachers, the prize now covers digital educators, leaders of education programmes and teachers working in refugee and other non-formal education settings.
Part-time, contract and self-employed educators can also qualify, provided they meet the requirements of the prize.
The award is open to educators working with learners aged four to 18 who have at least five years of experience. Candidates will be assessed on the effectiveness of their teaching, innovation in addressing educational challenges, measurable learning outcomes and their wider impact on students and communities.
The organisers will also consider educators’ contributions to developing global citizenship, promoting peace, strengthening the teaching profession and securing recognition for their work.
Nigeria has featured prominently in the prize in recent years.
In 2026, Adeola Olufunke Akinsulure, a Biology teacher at Omole Senior Grammar School in Ikeja, Lagos, was named among the Top 10 finalists after being selected from more than 5,000 nominations and applications from 139 countries.
Akinsulure’s work includes innovative approaches to STEM education, girls’ empowerment and environmental learning.
According to her Global Teacher Prize profile, she developed the SOAR+T teaching model and has trained more than 30,000 teachers in Nigeria and beyond.
Nigeria also had two educators among the 2026 Top 50 finalists, with Tijjani Mohammed Mukaddas joining Akinsulure on the shortlist.
The 2026 prize was eventually won by Indian educator Rouble Nagi, who was selected from the international field of finalists.
The official Global Teacher Prize records her as the 2026 winner alongside Akinsulure and eight other educators in the Top 10.
Nagi has urged Nigerian teachers whose work is changing the lives of young people to put themselves forward for the 2027 award, while encouraging students and parents to nominate educators who have made a lasting difference.
Founder of the Global Teacher Prize, Sunny Varkey, said the award was created to highlight the role teachers play in tackling major global challenges, including inequality, climate change and rapid technological transformation.
He said the expanded criteria reflected the changing ways educators reach and support learners, including through digital platforms and community-based settings.
The 2027 process will produce a Top 50 shortlist, followed by 10 finalists, before the winner is selected by the Global Teacher Prize Academy.
Teachers can apply or be nominated through the Global Teacher Prize official website. Applications close on October 12, 2026.
