“Teachers shape minds, spark confidence, and open the doors through which young people create brighter futures.”
That description from the Global Teacher Prize captures something many people can recognise from their own lives. Behind almost every doctor, engineer, entrepreneur, scientist, artist or leader is a teacher who once explained something for the third time, stayed behind after class, encouraged a struggling student or simply refused to give up on them.
This World Teachers’ Day, we are celebrating some African educators who have recently made headlines for their remarkable work, whether through world records, prestigious awards or innovative approaches to teaching.
Fenwick Cyril Maloba, Kenya
For Kenyan mathematics teacher Fenwick Cyril Maloba, teaching maths became a world-record challenge. In June 2026, the Menengai High School teacher completed a 45-hour continuous mathematics lesson in Nakuru, surpassing the previous record of 31 hours, 42 minutes and 54 seconds set by Nigerian mathematician Sanusi Kazeem in 2025.
Maloba carried out the marathon under the theme “Maths is not a monster”, reflecting his goal of helping learners overcome their fear of mathematics. His achievement turned a classroom subject many students struggle with into a lesson about persistence, preparation and confidence.
Related Story: Meet Peter Tabichi, Africa’s Global Award-Winning Teacher
Oluwaseyi Anifowose, Nigeria
Sometimes, making history means bringing people together. Nigerian educator and education advocate Oluwaseyi Anifowose holds the Guinness World Records title for the largest gathering of teachers. On 20 September 2025, 5,082 teachers gathered in Lagos during the Let There Be Teachers Conference.
The gathering was designed to celebrate teachers while creating a platform for conversations around policy reforms, professional development and teacher welfare. Anifowose’s record therefore represents more than a number. It showed what can happen when educators come together to make their voices heard.
Adeola Olufunke Akinsulure, Nigeria
Biology teacher Adeola Olufunke Akinsulure earned a place among the Top 10 finalists for the 2026 Global Teacher Prize, selected from thousands of nominations and applications worldwide.
Her approach to science education is especially creative. Through her SOAR+T teaching model, she combines edutainment, technology, gamified assessments, mentorship and real-world application. She uses role play, indigenous storytelling, animations and rechargeable projectors to make biology more relatable, even where classroom resources are limited. Her students’ Biology pass rate rose from 45.3% in 2021 to 99% in 2022 and has remained consistently high.
Ifetike Chekwube Hope, Nigeria
At Government Technical College, Onitsha, Ifetike Chekwube Hope has been showing what technology can add to technical education. In August 2026, he was named Africa’s Overall Best ICT-Driven Teacher at the African Teachers Excellence Awards.
His recognition reflects his use of ICT to improve classroom engagement and make technical learning more relevant to modern industry. For students preparing for technical careers, connecting classroom knowledge with digital tools can make the transition from school to the workplace much clearer.
Related Story: Nigerian Teacher Shortlisted for $1 Million Global Teacher Prize
Mpho Anatjie Mosala, South Africa
South African teacher Mpho Anatjie Mosala was named National Best Teacher at the 26th National Teaching Awards in October 2026. The Free State educator teaches Grade 6 Sesotho Home Language at Letlotlo Naledi Primary School and has built her work around literacy, communication, comprehension and critical thinking.
Her story also highlights an important part of teaching that can easily be overlooked. Mosala pays attention to the circumstances affecting her learners outside school, including family challenges and different levels of parental support. She believes an effective teacher must care about learners’ well-being as well as their academic progress.
More Than a Classroom
These educators have taken different routes to recognition. One taught mathematics for 45 hours, another brought thousands of teachers together, while others are changing how science, technology and languages are taught.
Their achievements remind us that great teaching does not have one formula. Sometimes it means finding a better way to explain a difficult topic. Sometimes it means using limited resources creatively. And sometimes it means standing up for the teaching profession or understanding what a child is carrying into the classroom each morning.
This Teachers’ Day, we celebrate these educators and the countless African teachers whose names may never appear in a record book, but whose impact lives on in the students they teach.
To every teacher who keeps showing up, keeps explaining, keeps encouraging and keeps believing in their students, Happy Teachers’ Day from all of us at RefinedNG.
Who was the teacher who made a difference in your life? Tell us about them in the comments.