By Samuel Sunday
The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to teachers’ welfare, school infrastructure upgrade and the overall strengthening of the education sector as it joined the rest of the world to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
The celebration, held on Monday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, brought together teachers from public and private primary and secondary schools across the state, government officials, labour leaders and other education stakeholders.
The event, themed “Standing with Teachers: Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Future,” also featured goodwill messages from private school proprietors and education stakeholders.
In his address, Governor Biodun Oyebanji expressed appreciation to teachers for their support for his administration, particularly during the June 20 governorship election, noting that the government recognises their immense contributions to the development of the state.
Governor Oyebanji assured teachers that his administration would continue to protect their interests and improve their working conditions, adding that government would sustain engagement with them on outstanding welfare and career progression issues.
He disclosed that modern facilities would be provided for schools across the state, while the state library project would be captured in the 2027 budget.
As part of the celebration, the state government presented awards and cash prizes worth N70.5 million to outstanding teachers and selected public and private schools. A teacher from the SUBEB Model School emerged as the overall best teacher in the state and received a cash prize of N6 million.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Olabimpe Olubisi Aderiye, commended Governor Oyebanji for his sustained investment in the education sector, noting that billions of naira had been committed to the renovation of schools, recruitment of teachers, payment of salaries and allowances, provision of running grants, digitalisation of schools, infrastructure development, as well as car and housing loans for teachers.
In their separate remarks, leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) acknowledged the government’s interventions while calling for more support.
The Chairman of ASUSS, Comrade Austin Bamidele, urged the government to provide more technical equipment and modern technology in schools and to sustain professional development and improved compensation for teachers.
On his part, NUT Chairman, Comrade Lawrence Egeyemi Adedeji, called for the implementation of the harmonised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service, whichever comes first, to retain experienced teachers and curb brain drain.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi; Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun; Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi; as well as leaders of NUT, ASUSS, NLC, WAEC and NECO.
