How Nigerian Maths Teacher emerged top 50 for $1m global prize 

In a recent interview conducted by Bankole Taiwo, Kayode Adewale, an accomplished Mathematics teacher from Ogun State, who has been named one of the top 50 finalists for the prestigious Global Teacher Prize worth $1 million, shared insights into his exceptional journey and achievements.

Who is Kayode Adewale?

Kayode Adewale teaches Mathematics and Information and Science Technology at Imaka/Imagbon Comprehensive High School in Imagbon Ijebu, situated in the Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. Additionally, he is a science educator who established a Space Exploration Club at his school. He has also motivated other science teachers across all 517 secondary schools in Ogun State to set up similar clubs, a program he developed in collaboration with the Limitless Space Institute based in Houston, Texas.

What was your childhood like?

Adewale was born on June 8, 1984, in Ago Iwoye, located in the Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State. He attended Methodist Primary School in Imososi, Ago-Iwoye, for his primary education and completed his secondary schooling at Abobi Secondary School in the same town. He pursued his National Certificate of Education in Mathematics and Economics at Tai Solarin College of Education, now Tai Solarin University of Education, concluding his studies in 2004.

He began his teaching career at Iwopin Pulp and Paper Primary School in 2006 and transitioned to secondary education in 2008 at Ayede Comprehensive High School within the same district. After a transfer to Oodua Comprehensive High School in 2012, he eventually joined his current institution in Imagbon. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Tai Solarin University of Education in 2011 and later received a Master’s in Measurement and Evaluation from the same university in 2015. Although he started a PhD program at the University of Ibadan in 2018, financial constraints forced him to pause his studies. However, a chance meeting with the CEO of Edutams in 2019 led to renewed support for his doctoral journey, which he is now nearing completion, focusing on developing technology-assisted instructional management solutions.

What led to your selection as a Global Teacher Prize finalist?

Adewale credits his success to his commitment to professional development, often investing his own funds in both local and international training opportunities. His teaching excellence began to gain recognition in 2020 when he was named the best senior secondary school teacher in Ogun State, receiving a reward of N2.5 million from Governor Dapo Abiodun. Demonstrating his commitment to education, he donated 10% of this prize to charity and renovated the multipurpose laboratory at his school, transforming it into a STEM laboratory to introduce technological tools to students and teachers. Additionally, he secured 30 laptops for his school from Co-Creation Hub in Lagos in 2019.

In 2022, he emerged as the Best Teacher of the Year in Ogun State, later ranking among the top 10 best teachers in Nigeria. In 2023, he participated in the US Government’s Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Programme, where he was recognized as the third-best teacher in Nigeria.

Have you always had a passion for Mathematics?

Adewale recalls being inspired by a television program in his uncle’s house that showcased engaging Mathematics teaching, igniting his lifelong passion for the subject. His commitment led him to pursue a blended degree in Economics and Mathematics during his National Certificate of Education. His aspiration to teach Mathematics on television was fulfilled during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was selected as one of 20 teachers for Ogun State’s Ogun Digi Class initiative.

Reflecting on his early inspirations, he remembers expressing a desire to become a teacher back in secondary school, where his classmates aimed for careers in medicine or law. His vision was to inspire future generations, a dream he is now fulfilling.

You also teach Mathematics in the Ijebu dialect online. Is this a push for teaching in local languages?

Indeed, Adewale employs culturally relevant pedagogy in his teaching, using students’ native languages and familiar concepts as instructional tools. His first use of the Ijebu dialect in class energized previously disengaged students, exemplifying the effectiveness of this approach in underserved communities. He then expanded this pedagogical method by creating a presence on social media and launching a YouTube channel dedicated to teaching Mathematics in local dialects, inspired by the late Professor Babs Fafunwa’s advocacy for indigenous language education.

What does it mean to be among the top 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize?

Adewale describes this achievement as a divine blessing. Starting from local accolades as the top teacher in Ogun State, advancing to third-best in Nigeria, and now reaching the global stage, he views this recognition as the culmination of three years of hard work. Despite facing discouragement in previous applications, he persevered and submitted his application at the last moment, ultimately receiving the life-changing notification that he was shortlisted for an interview. With guidance from past winners, he felt equipped to showcase his qualifications and answer interview questions confidently.

How many finalists were there from Nigeria?

Adewale was the sole finalist representing Nigeria, along with three or four educators from West Africa, and a total of seven from the African continent.

What is the prize money for this recognition?

The financial reward totals $1 million, around N1 billion. Adewale’s motivation for applying stemmed from his vision to implement various projects that enhance teaching and learning across Nigeria and Africa, particularly for underserved communities. He aims to develop a mobile application for technology-assisted instructional management that can benefit students throughout the continent.

How do you plan to utilize the prize money?

He has drafted a proposal outlining his spending plans. The first 20% will fund a capacity-building program for the other nine finalists, while another 20% will focus on raising awareness about the Global Teacher Prize across Africa. Additionally, 10% will support students in underserved Nigerian communities. Another 10% will be allocated to build an innovation hub at his school in Imagbon Ijebu, equipped with contemporary technology, to demonstrate the transformative power of technology in education. Finally, the remaining 40% will be directed towards developing technology-assisted instructional management solutions as part of his “Transformation 1,090” initiative, which aims to train 10 teachers in each of Nigeria’s 109 senatorial districts.