Onome Amuge
Nigerian schools have been called upon to compete for a new global award that promises to shine a spotlight on institutions driving innovation in education. The Global Schools Prize, launched by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO, will award $1 million across several categories, including a $500,000 grand prize for one extraordinary school.
The initiative seeks to reframe how the world views schools in Africa and beyond, not only as centres of learning but as laboratories of innovation capable of reshaping economies and communities.
Peter Tabichi, the Kenyan teacher who won the Global Teacher Prize in 2019, made a direct appeal to Nigerian schools, praising their ability to rise to challenges with ingenuity. “As a teacher, I have seen first-hand how schools in Nigeria find remarkable ways to build brighter futures for their students. The Global Schools Prize is a unique chance to showcase these heroic institutions on the world stage,” he said.
The competition is open to both public and private schools worldwide. Longlisted institutions will receive a Global Schools Prize Badge, symbolising world-class impact across 10 categories, ranging from artificial intelligence transformation to inclusive education. They will also gain entry into a Global Schools Network, where they can exchange ideas and develop partnerships with other leading institutions worldwide.
Each of the 10 category winners will receive $50,000. One overall winner will receive $500,000 to scale its vision.
For Nigeria, the launch comes at a time when policymakers, private investors and education advocates are seeking ways to close persistent learning gaps. UNESCO estimates that Nigeria has more than 20 million out-of-school children, the highest number in the world. While access is a critical challenge, experts say innovation within existing schools is just as important for raising learning outcomes and preparing students for the future of work.
The Global Schools Prize seeks to reward schools that demonstrate such innovation, regardless of circumstance. It will recognise institutions that embrace AI in classrooms, nurture creativity through arts, promote peacebuilding, build resilience in adversity, or pioneer inclusive education for children with special needs.
Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation and the prize, described the initiative as part of a wider movement to reimagine learning in a rapidly changing world. “The Global Schools Prize is more than an award -it’s a movement. By recognising multiple winners, we shine a light on the many ways schools are driving progress – from innovation and teacher development to sustainability and student wellbeing,” he said.
Education leaders argue that the prize could be particularly significant for Nigeria because it allows schools to showcase how they innovate despite resource constraints. Local educators have often had to devise low-cost teaching methods, rely on community partnerships, or use digital tools creatively in order to deliver quality education.
A newly established Global Schools Prize Council, co-chaired by Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s assistant director-general for education, and Christine Ryan, former chair of Ofsted in the UK, will oversee the competition. The Council includes respected figures such as Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education and Skills at the OECD, former presidents and ministers, as well as past winners of the Global Teacher and Global Student prizes.
Stefania Giannini said the prize is designed to highlight breakthroughs in education at a time when schools worldwide face mounting pressure to adapt. “Around the world, schools are reimagining what is possible – finding new ways to inspire curiosity, strengthen resilience, and unlock the potential of every learner. By sharing these breakthroughs on a global stage, the prize reminds us that the power of education lies not only in knowledge, but in the creativity and collaboration that drive progress,” she said.
Ryan also explained that the prize underscores the role of schools as anchors of social change. “Schools are at the very heart of communities, shaping not only the future of individual learners but the future of societies. This prize is about celebrating their impact and encouraging global collaboration so that innovation in one school can inspire progress in thousands more,” she noted.
Applications for the prize are now open at www.globalschoolsprize.org. The inaugural longlist is expected in 2025, with winners to be announced at a global education summit later in the year.
