The Federal Government and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have expressed support for the African Teachers Festival (ATF) 2026, reaffirming their commitment to improving the quality of education and empowering teachers across the continent.
The commitment was reiterated during the official unveiling of the festival in Abuja, where government officials, education stakeholders, policymakers, development partners and other participants gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening Africa’s education sector through innovation, collaboration and leadership.
Scheduled to hold from August 17 to 22, 2026, in Abuja, the African Teachers Festival is expected to attract more than 1,500 teachers, education experts, policymakers, innovators, youth leaders and development partners from different African countries.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the festival as a significant initiative that aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms aimed at improving access to quality education, promoting equity and ensuring that learning remains relevant to the needs of the 21st century.
Represented at the event, the minister noted that teachers remain the foundation of every successful education system, stressing that national development, economic growth, technological advancement and social progress depend largely on the quality of teaching in schools.
He emphasized that the government’s education agenda places priority on teacher recruitment, continuous professional development, digital literacy, leadership training and lifelong learning to equip educators with the skills needed to meet evolving educational demands.
The festival, themed “Transforming Africa’s Education through Innovation, Collaboration, and Leadership,” is designed to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building and policy discussions aimed at improving learning outcomes across the continent.
Participants are expected to engage in workshops and interactive sessions focusing on emerging issues in education, including artificial intelligence, digital learning, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, educational leadership, policy development and entrepreneurship.
The programme will also feature exhibitions, networking opportunities, cultural exchange activities and the African Teachers Excellence Awards, which will recognise outstanding educators for their contributions to the advancement of education in Africa.
Organisers said the festival will also promote the economic empowerment of teachers through initiatives focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, investment opportunities and wealth creation, with the goal of improving teachers’ welfare beyond the classroom.
They called on governments, private sector organisations, development agencies, philanthropic institutions and education advocates to support the initiative, stressing that sustained investment in teachers remains essential to building stronger education systems and accelerating Africa’s social and economic development.
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