Kayode Adewale, a Mathematics teacher from Imagbon/Imaka Comprehensive High School in Ogun State, has been selected as one of the top 50 finalists for the prestigious 2025 Global Teacher Prize. The announcement was made by the organisers in a statement released on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Adewale, a STEM educator, teaches in a semi-urban area where most students come from low-income farming families and often lack access to quality educational resources. Many of his students use smartphones primarily for entertainment, rather than academics. In response to these challenges, Adewale has been praised for “revolutionising the classroom experience.”
He integrates local languages like Yoruba and Hausa into his lessons, making complex mathematical concepts more relatable. Through culturally tailored instructional videos and practical examples, Adewale bridges the gap between his students’ cultural realities and academic content, fostering engagement and understanding.
His teaching methods, rooted in Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Digital Literacy Education, have had a significant impact. Adewale introduced platforms like Technology-Assisted Management Solution (TAIMS), educational apps such as Inquiry Learning Space (ILS) and PhET simulations to facilitate collaborative virtual study groups and hands-on problem-solving. This approach has enhanced students’ performance in national and regional exams, while cultivating digital skills crucial for success in the 21st century.
Beyond the classroom, Adewale’s initiatives have reached far beyond his own students. His Transformation1090 Initiative has trained over 30,000 teachers, empowering them with tools to integrate technology into their teaching practices. As the founder of the Ogun517GoToSpace program, he has inspired students and educators to explore space science, collaborating with experts from NASA and other global professionals to foster interest in STEM careers.
Adewale’s commitment to environmental education is reflected in his tree-planting initiatives and climate change simulations, which help students understand the importance of sustainability. His achievements have garnered national and international recognition, including being named the 2nd Runner-Up for Best Teacher in Nigeria and receiving numerous awards for excellence in mathematics education.
The organisers of the Global Teacher Prize have described Adewale as an educator whose resilience and innovation have transformed the lives of his students and teachers alike.
