A Nigerian teacher, Olasunkanmi Opeifa has made the top ten finalists of The Global Teacher Prize 2020. The award a partnership with UNESCO rewards the winner with $1 million, which is the largest of any such award in the world.
The Global Teacher Prize 2020 was established in 2014 by the Varkey Foundation.
While announcing the selection of Opeifa, renowned international comedian Stephen Fry described the Nigerian teacher as an inspiration to students because of his use of fun-based learning to teach English language concepts, with essay writing linked to popular dance steps, and phonology and grammar demonstrated by rapping and hip-hop songs.
“You also published a book on learning English in order to reach more students beyond your community and introduced free weekend tutorials in order to cover the syllabus with them. With this approach, examination results have vastly improved and many of your students now meet the benchmark for admission to the university. Congratulations Olasunkanmi and thank you for everything you do,” Fry said in the video announcement.