He assured teachers that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare and provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning
By Moses Okorie
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has rewarded outstanding teachers across the state with N70.5 million as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
The awards were presented to deserving teachers from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state during a ceremony held in Ado-Ekiti.
The 2026 celebration was held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping Our Futures.”
The beneficiaries were selected from public primary and secondary schools, private schools and various administrative cadres within the education sector in recognition of their dedication, commitment and exceptional performance.
Addressing the teachers, Oyebanji commended their contributions to the development of education in Ekiti State and their role in preparing students for the future.
The governor said his administration had, in nearly four years, invested substantially in education at all levels, adding that the interventions had attracted recognition from organisations within and outside the state.
He assured teachers that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare and provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Oyebanji also promised that outstanding emoluments, including leave bonuses, would be paid soon.
He disclosed that the state government had included the construction of an ultra-modern state library in the 2027 budget, describing the project as part of efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure.
According to him, all 203 public secondary schools in the state now have ICT laboratories, interactive boards and 5KVA inverters, while 125 schools have been connected to internet facilities.
The governor said several old school buildings had also been renovated or rehabilitated, while perimeter fencing had been provided for 54 public secondary schools.
He added that CCTV cameras had been installed in 48 schools, with another 85 schools scheduled to benefit before the end of the month.
Oyebanji further disclosed that his administration had recruited 5,530 teachers into public primary and secondary schools within four years.
He said the government would sustain the regular payment of salaries and continue the disbursement of revolving car and housing loans to eligible teachers.
While urging teachers to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, Oyebanji said continuity would help sustain the implementation of the administration’s Shared Prosperity Agenda in Ekiti.
The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Lawrence Adedeji, and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, represented by Austin Bamidele, commended the government’s interventions.
However, the union leaders urged the state government to fulfil its commitments on outstanding emoluments and welfare packages, stressing that teachers’ welfare should receive attention beyond the annual World Teachers’ Day celebration.