…Governor dedicates award to Ondo teachers, pledges improved welfare
The Federal Government has honoured Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, with a Special Recognition Award for his administration’s contributions to education in the state.
Aiyedatiwa received the award at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held on Monday at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The governor, in his acceptance speech, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Education, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and other stakeholders for the recognition.
He dedicated the honour to teachers across Ondo State, describing their sacrifices and commitment as fundamental to the development of the state.
Aiyedatiwa, who disclosed that he was once a teacher, said his experience in the profession had shaped his understanding of governance and the responsibility of making knowledge meaningful to young people.
According to him, education remains a long-term investment in the character, capacity and productive strength of the people, adding that the commitment is embedded in his administration’s seven-pillar OUR EASE development agenda.
He said the administration had prioritised expanding access to education, improving quality, strengthening the teaching profession, upgrading learning facilities and equipping young people to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
The governor disclosed that more than 2,100 teachers were recruited into primary and secondary schools in 2025, while the government had continued to invest in professional development through digital and pedagogical training, climate-smart instructional programmes and quality-assurance initiatives.
He said 43 new classroom blocks were constructed in 2025 at a cost of about N3.1 billion, while 75 schools underwent complete renovation.
The governor added that the state procured 8,500 learners’ furniture and 1,200 teachers’ furniture, as well as sports equipment, textbooks and other learning materials.
Aiyedatiwa further disclosed that learning resources worth more than N150 million were distributed across the three senatorial districts, while computer textbooks were supplied to learners in all 18 local government areas.
He said the 2026 budget made further provisions for the construction and rehabilitation of basic schools, stressing that the rebuilding of the education sector was a continuous process.
Beyond basic and secondary education, the governor said his administration had approved the establishment of a College of Nursing at Igbokoda and a College of Education at Aboto to expand opportunities for professional and teacher education.
He also said teachers’ salaries and allowances had been paid regularly, while the government continued to settle inherited gratuity arrears owed to retired public servants, with retired teachers accounting for a significant number of beneficiaries.
“This is not merely a fulfilment of an obligation; it is a message to those still in service that government remembers their sacrifice and that their future is secure,” he said.
The governor disclosed that N633.9 million was spent in 2026 on WAEC registration for 23,048 students in public schools, while the state also fully sponsored NABTEB examinations.
He said N350 million and N400 million were committed to bursary and scholarship support for tertiary students in 2025 and 2026 respectively, while OSOPADEC provided N286.7 million in bursaries to 4,837 students.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration had also recognised outstanding academic performances by students who excelled in the 2026 UTME and those who distinguished themselves in national and international competitions.
He said the state was embracing digital education through partnerships, including its collaboration with EIDU, which introduced AI-powered learning tools, smartphones and structured literacy programmes.
According to him, digital literacy initiatives had resulted in the deployment of thousands of tablets in public schools, while computer laptops were being provided to digitally trained teachers as part of preparations for robotics, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
The governor said the theme of the celebration, “Protecting and Advancing the Status of the Teaching Profession in a Rapidly Changing World,” was particularly relevant to Ondo State.
“If we truly desire a knowledge-driven society, we must give teachers the tools to teach, the environment to work, the dignity they deserve and the opportunity to continually renew their knowledge,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa dedicated the recognition to teachers across Ondo State, including those working in urban centres, rural communities and difficult environments.
He described their contribution as foundational to the development of the state, noting that the impact of teachers’ work might not always be visible but remained enduring.
“When we educate a child, we do more than change one life. We strengthen a family, enlarge the possibilities of a community and increase the productive capacity of a State,” he said.
Teachers crucial to Nigeria’s future — Alausa
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described teachers as among the most important people in society, stressing that their contribution to educating Nigerian children and youths was critical to the country’s future.
Alausa said teachers in public and private schools performed one of the most consequential responsibilities in society and deserved opportunities for professional development and recognition.
He noted that technology and artificial intelligence were transforming the learning environment and could help teachers improve their effectiveness and better support learners.
The minister identified stronger institutions, skills for a changing economy, reliable data, improved teacher welfare and continuous professional development as areas requiring sustained attention.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, in her welcome address, said the welfare and retention of teachers remained a priority of the Federal Government.
She said teachers were now expected to build foundational skills, respond to diverse learning needs, deploy new technologies and prepare young people for a constantly changing world.
“Those expectations are reasonable. So is a teacher’s expectation of good preparation, useful material, fair treatment, safety, timely career progression and respect,” she said.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Titus Amba, represented by the Deputy National President, Comrade Kizito Kalu, said the status accorded teachers reflected the value a nation placed on its future.
Amba said Nigeria could only achieve better schools by investing in improved working conditions for teachers, adding that innovative learners required empowered teachers.
He called for a shift “from celebration to action, from promises to implementation and from recognition to sustained investment.”
The event was attended by senior officials of the Ondo State Government, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya; Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Adesoji Afolabi; and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN.
Others included Special Adviser to the Governor on Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Hon. Princess Kikelomo Ikuomola; APC State Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; members of the Ondo State House of Assembly; Chief Pius Akinyelure; Mr Awodeyi Akinsehin Apata; Prince Femi Adekambi; Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan; and Mr Kenneth Odusola, among others.
