A Non-Governmental Organisation, The Adunni Foundation has announced a national platform “Basic Education Torchbearers Awards (BETA)” to celebrate the heroes of Nigeria’s basic education system.

Scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the NECA Main Hall, Alausa, Lagos, the event will feature a keynote address by Professor Michael Omolewa, distinguished scholar of education and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to UNESCO, speaking on the theme: “Education is True Independence.”

Unveiled on Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, BETA seeks to link the nation’s freedom with its educational progress, spotlighting individuals and institutions — both celebrated and unsung — whose leadership, sacrifice, and vision have shaped the country’s educational foundations.

According to Motunrayo Adunni Famuyiwa-Alaka, Founder and Initiator of The Adunni Foundation, the awards are a call to reframe national reflection around education. “While Nigeria won political independence in 1960, true independence will only be secured when every child has access to quality basic education,” she said. “BETA reframes Independence Day as a moment to honour those who made education possible and to inspire a new generation of torchbearers.”

The 2025 edition will feature several key segments, including “Hope Nigeria Talks” — a platform where schoolchildren will share reflections on their aspirations for Nigeria’s educational future and civic values. The event will also host the BETA Awards Presentation, recognising outstanding educators, institutions, and students, as well as the unveiling of Edupendent: Education is Independence, the Foundation’s new flagship programme for transformative learning.

BETA’s objectives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), while complementing other global goals such as No Poverty (SDG 1), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).

Award categories will include:

  • BETA Hero (Posthumous) – recognising pioneers of basic education;

  • Torchbearer Educator of Legacy – honouring retired educators with enduring impact;

  • Community Champion for Learning – celebrating non-educators advancing access to learning;

  • BETA Institutional Builder Award – recognising faith-based, civil society, and mission institutions;

  • BETA Alumni Impact Award – for alumni or student groups supporting their alma maters;

  • BETA Most Brilliant Student Award – honouring top achievers in national examinations.

Founded by Motunrayo Adunni Famuyiwa-Alaka, a veteran in journalism and civic engagement, The Adunni Foundation is a social impact organisation dedicated to advancing education, democracy, and human capital development. The Foundation is chaired by Dr. Yele Okeremi, Founder and CEO of Precise Financial Systems (PFS).

Registered in 2019, The Basic Education Torchbearers Award (BETA) embodies the Foundation’s mission to honour excellence and drive reform in Nigeria’s education sector — ensuring that, as its 2025 theme suggests, education remains the truest form of independence.