A non-profit organisation, Ashoka Africa, has concluded a year-long professional development programme for 102 teachers in Lagos State.
PUNCH Online reports that in October 2024, CTEACH graduated its first cohort of 52 teachers from local government areas across Lagos State to support students in developing innovative solutions to solve societal problems.
The organisation stated that the event marked the completion of a year-long effort to integrate change-making education in Lagos State schools.
During the graduation ceremony of the first cohort, held recently in Lagos, CTEACH also welcomed 100 new teachers into the second cohort.
It also launched the CTEACH Documentary and Changemaking Storybook, featuring youth-led initiatives.
According to a statement by Ashoka Africaâs Head of Communications, Confidence Awak, on Sunday, the initiative, tagged âChangemaker Teachers Activationâ, is implemented to equip teachers with 21st-century teaching approaches that help students identify and tackle social and environmental issues collaboratively.
According to Awak, the project aims to address what education experts describe as the national paradox of âproducing smart graduates but few problem-solvers.â
âGraduates of the programme are expected to replicate the CTEACH model in their schools, mentoring colleagues and students in similar skills to sustain the impact across the state.
âAshoka predicts that, over time, the initiative could influence thousands of learners if participating teachers remain engaged and supported by their local communitiesâ, the statement partly read.
It added that a teacher, Dr Peace Sule, recently recognised as Africaâs Best Teacher 2025, noted that the need for reforms stems from Nigeriaâs deeply rooted educational deficiencies.
She emphasised that true innovation begins when individuals take responsibility for finding solutions rather than relying solely on government.
âWe read, pass, graduate, work and repeat that cycle. Nobody is looking at solving a problem. If I can change the mindset of students, then this country can become a good place to live.
âIf we keep waiting, weâll go nowhere. Teachers should be researchers. We should document problems and propose solutionsâ, the statement quoted Sule as saying, noting her personal efforts to sponsor school uniforms and organise adult literacy classes with volunteer educators.
Ashoka Africaâs Co-President and Director of the CTEACH programme, Angelou Ezeilo, said the initiative was created to respond to a worldwide trend in which challenges multiply faster than solutions.
âWe want students to care about their current situation, not flee it. It takes an ecosystem, teachers, parents, NGOs, and administrators to raise change-makers.
âTeachers spend more time with young people than parents. They are change-maker-makers. We need society and politicians to value the roleâ, the statement quoted her as saying.
Ezeilo explained that the programme, funded by luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet through First Book, is entering its final pilot phase with 400 new participants. She cautioned, however, that the projectâs long-term sustainability depends heavily on corporate and philanthropic support.
Ashokaâs Co-Leader for Africa, Okechukwu Uzoechina, added that the programmeâs real impact begins with transforming educators themselves.
âOnce teachers internalise change-making, they can plant those seeds in families and communities. We are shifting thinking,â he said.
The ceremony also featured testimonies from earlier beneficiaries.
One of them, Samuel Agboola, said that his participation in CTEACH not only improved his classroom environment but also opened international doors and earned him recognition in his district.
âI no longer raise my voice or cane, just questions, curiosity and hope. The real measure of change-making is what we do nextâ, the statement quoted him as having stated.
