All around the world, teachers do fantastic work. They don’t just teach a curriculum – they instil values, encourage, support, befriend and truly impact the lives of their students and colleagues around them.
To help celebrate teachers and publicise their fantastic stories, we run a global competition called the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. The awards invite students, parents and other teachers to nominate an educator for something wonderful they have done. We then share these nominations for the world to see.
After we received over 11,000 entries from 99 different countries for the 2023 awards, our judges decided on Primary Teacher, Akeem Badru from St. Michael R.C.M School in Nigeria, as the regional winner for Central and Southern Africa. The public then unanimously voted for him to be our overall winner! So let’s find out more about Akeem.
Bio
Akeem started his teaching career as a voluntary teacher at St Peters Anglican Primary School in Balogun Ikanna, Nigeria. In 2011 he obtained his Bachelors of Education in Social Studies Education from Ekiti State University in 2011 and in 2019 developed his educational leadership skills further with the Teach for Nigeria Fellowship.
Passionate about climate action, community and equality, Akeem has earned several honours and awards:
- Top 60 Shortlisted Teachers of the 2022 Cambridge Dedicated Teachers Award
- Most Outstanding Leadership Award 2021 by Gbenga and Aisha Oyebode Foundation through Teach For Nigeria
- Ogun State Second Best Teacher of the Year Award 2020 (Primary Category)
- First African Paper Model Award winner at the International Paper Modeler Convention, Virginia, USA 2015
Akeem’s nomination
“Akeem Badru is a residence teacher in an underserved community of Ogunpa. He left his family and the comfort of city life to reside in a village which lacks the basic social amenities. His selfless service, sacrifice and steadfastness eradicated the age long practice of parents withdrawing their children from school after primary 3 (age 10) to work as domestic servants in the city which made the school produced primary six graduates after over ten years break. Through “First Step Initiatives” a Stem and project-based project, he uses craft and model making to promote inquisitiveness, creativity potentials and critical thinking skills of children. As a teach SDG Ambassador, he financed the construction of a borehole for the village as his contribution towards the achievement of 2030 SDGs and to solve the problem water related diseases that keep his pupils out of school as well to promote healthy living of his pupils.”
Q&A with Akeem
What does it mean to you being a regional winner the 2023 Dedicated Teacher Awards?
Being recognised as a regional winner fills me with an indescribable sense of honour and pride. As a teacher hailing from a humble village, one that cannot even be found on Google maps, this achievement reinforces my unwavering belief that true dedication and selfless service to humanity yield the greatest rewards. It serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of education and the boundless potential that lies within each and every student.
This recognition ignites a fire within me, further fueling my passion to make a difference in the lives of those I have the privilege to teach. It fuels my determination to overcome any challenges and continue to positively impact the world through education. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and remain committed to the pursuit of excellence in my noble calling.
Why did you become a teacher?
Growing up, I faced numerous challenges and encountered failures at every turn. Academic struggles followed me until primary school, and financial difficulties forced me to abandon my secondary education at the age of twenty. I became the epitome of an underachiever in my community.
However, rather than succumbing to despair, I embraced these hardships as catalysts for achieving greatness. Given my background, I chose to pursue a career in teaching, driven by a deep desire to uplift underprivileged children and defy societal expectations. Being a teacher allows me to instill hope in those who feel hopeless and empower them to rise above their circumstances.
As a naturally giving person, no other profession aligns better with my nature and purpose than teaching. It grants me the opportunity to impart all that I have learned and immerse myself in the lives of those I encounter. This calling has bestowed upon me the chance to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of children and nurture within them a positive mindset towards their future.
The passion that fuels my commitment to teaching is unwavering, as I continue to be an agent of change and a beacon of hope in the lives of the students I am privileged to serve.
Do you have a dedicated teacher that inspired you?
Mr. Alade, my Government teacher at Ebenezer Comprehensive High School in Lagos, Nigeria, exemplifies passion and dedication in his profession. Unlike other teachers who retreat to the staff room, Mr. Alade can always be found lingering in the corridors near the classroom where he teaches. He seizes every opportunity, even during idle hours, to impart knowledge to his students.
Mr. Alade’s unwavering commitment to his work leaves a profound impact. His presence and punctuality demonstrate that dedication promotes fulfillment and attracts success. Through his teaching, he instills in us a sense of purpose and a belief in our own potential. Mr. Alade’s passion is palpable, inspiring us to approach our studies with the same level of enthusiasm and commitment. He goes above and beyond, ensuring that no lesson is missed and that every student receives the attention they deserve. Mr. Alade’s dedication to his craft serves as a shining example and motivates us to strive for excellence in all that we do.
Do you have a memorable teaching moment?
One of the most memorable teaching moments in my career occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, from February to August 2020. As schools were forced to close their doors, I had the opportunity to be a tutor on the state-sponsored virtual teaching program called “Ogun Digiclass.”
This program was broadcasted daily on various channels, including OGTV Channel 25 UHF, DSTV Channel 260, GOTV Channel 100, and Startimes Channel 113. It aimed to provide alternative learning options for students who were unable to access traditional classroom education. Being part of this initiative brought me immense joy and satisfaction.
Despite the prevailing fear of COVID and uncertainty that gripped the world, I was among the few teachers who willingly sacrificed their time and efforts to ensure that students had access to quality education. It was a true testament to my passion for teaching and my commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of my students, even in the face of adversity.
The experience reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education and highlighted the importance of dedication and selflessness in the teaching profession.
Please share three words to describe your typical week teaching
Optimism, passion and dedication.
Tell us about a current project or school initiative that you’re excited about
The Nigeria National Policy on Education has long emphasised the need to lay a solid foundation for scientific and reflective thinking in primary school education.
However, this objective has remained a mere aspiration since 1977. As an advocate for project-based learning, I firmly believe that achieving this objective requires intentional and focused efforts. This belief led me to establish First Step Initiative.
First Step Initiative is a pioneering initiative that aims to equip children with the skills and abilities to create prototypes of complex projects on a smaller scale through model and craft making. By challenging and developing pupils’ creative and critical thinking skills, this project empowers them to ask insightful questions and challenge the theories of physics.
Through systematic observation and inquiry, children can enhance their understanding, curiosity, and creativity. This project specifically targets children who represent the future power of our nation, as they are filled with hopes, energy, ideas, dreams, and untapped potentials that are invaluable assets to society. With the right preparation, children can be instrumental in addressing the technological deficiencies of our nation.
Education in the African context has often been limited to the cognitive abilities of learners, resulting in a lack of critical thinking skills and hindering technological advancements. The First Step Initiative seeks to bridge this gap by developing children’s psychomotor skills, fostering an appreciation for the world around them, cultivating curiosity, nurturing hidden creative potentials, and encouraging innovative problem-solving. Furthermore, the project promotes a culture of recycling and empowers children to develop local technology abilities.
To expand the impact of this initiative, I aspire to establish a school of basic technology that moves beyond theory and prioritises practical application. I am open to partnerships and collaborations to further this project’s reach and create meaningful change in our educational system.
Passion drives me to transform education, empowering children to become active participants in shaping a brighter future.
