The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has dedicated the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration to teachers and learners affected by the May 15, 2026 attack on a school in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The NUT Chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, stated this on Monday while delivering his address at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Islamic High School Multipurpose Hall, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.

The celebration, held under the theme “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures,” brought together teachers, education administrators, government officials, labour leaders and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said education could not be transformed without teachers, stressing that their status, competence and welfare remained central to the future of education.

Adeniran, who noted that the celebration marked 60 years of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, said standing with teachers must go beyond ceremonial appreciation to include professional development, decent working conditions, teaching and learning resources, career progression, mentoring and continuous capacity building.

He added that Oyo SUBEB would continue collaborating with relevant authorities, teachers, communities and development partners to strengthen teacher quality and improve basic education across the state.

Adeniran also commended the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as its strong commitment to teachers’ welfare, saying the government had consistently placed the interests of teachers high on its education agenda. He highlighted the payment of outstanding leave allowances inherited from previous administrations, regular payment of teachers’ salaries and abolishing of teachers’ six years waiting period.

He added that the Seyi Makinde administration has also approved the upgrade of teachers Grade Level above GL14.

Adeniran also assured teachers that their voices would remain part of policy discussions aimed at improving basic education, noting that the collective responsibility of government, education authorities, school leaders, teachers, parents and communities was to ensure that every child in Oyo State has access to a competent, motivated, supported and professionally respected teacher.

Comrade Hassan Fatai, in his address, said the celebration was being held with mixed feelings following the sacrifices made by teachers and learners affected by the May 15 attack in Oriire.

He described the victims as “heroes and heroines of the teachers and education struggle in the state,” announcing that the NUT would honour surviving victims with its Heroes and Heroines Award, support families of slain teachers and identify with affected learners.

The NUT chairman commended Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Commissioner for Education Segun Olayiwola, Dr. Adeniran, TESCOM Chairperson Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo, Special Adviser on Education Intervention Oloye Suraj Abiodun Tiamy and other stakeholders for their roles in the rescue and survival efforts.

He also praised the state government’s support for teachers while urging it to sustain improved welfare and working conditions.

Fatai, however, presented fresh demands on behalf of teachers, including full implementation of the Safe School Programme, integration of 135 teachers into the TESCOM employment structure, approval of inter-local government transfers for some teachers appointed in 2005, administrative flexibility on conversion and career progression, prompt release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.

He further urged teachers to embrace artificial intelligence and other technological developments, stressing that protecting, respecting, rewarding, empowering and investing in teachers remained essential to strengthening education and securing the future of Oyo State and Nigeria.

The event was attended by top government functionaries, and NUT leaders in the State.

A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Heroes and Heroines of Teachers Award to teachers who demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of the Oriire school attack. The awardees included the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs. Alamu Racheal Folawe; Vice Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mr. Ojo Jonathan Adebayo; Mr. Olatunde Olutoye Zacchaeus; Mrs. Oladeji Jelilat Oluwakemi; and Mrs. Daunting Mary Temitope of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced a N1bn Teachers Appreciation Fund for teachers across the state as part of activities marking the 2026 Teachers’ Day celebration.

Otti made the announcement while addressing teachers at the celebration, themed “Standing With The Teachers,” where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of teachers.

The governor said he considered himself a teacher and assured educators that his administration would continue to support them and prioritise education in the state.

According to him, the government would continue to dedicate a significant portion of its budget to education because of its importance to the future of the state.

He said the administration was investing in smart schools across the 17 local government areas and three additional locations, noting that the initiative was aimed at preparing students for the future without replacing traditional education.

Otti also reaffirmed the government’s policy of free and compulsory education and congratulated Abia students who performed well in WAEC and NECO examinations.

Addressing challenges raised by the state leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, the governor said several of the issues had already been addressed by his administration.

He directed the Accountant-General of the state to ensure that outstanding check-off dues owed to teachers were paid within seven days.

Otti also ordered that workers who had remained unpaid due to verification issues should receive their salaries on or before the end of October.

He further directed the payment of salaries owed to the 4,075 newly recruited teachers before the end of the month.

On promotions, particularly those covering 2021 and 2022, the governor said the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, had been given a deadline to conclude the process and forward it for approval.

Otti also ordered the reinstatement of teachers below the age of 65 who had been disengaged, following the extension of the retirement age.

“I have given the approval from here. Please bring all of them back, even if it is six months before retirement,” he directed.

The governor said his administration was committed to fairness and transparency in dealing with teachers and other public servants.

He disclosed that the N1bn Teachers Appreciation Fund would be shared equally among teachers in the state.

Otti said the payment would be made directly to teachers and would be identified as the “2026 Teachers Appreciation Fund.”

He thanked teachers for their contribution to building future

generations, stressing that the impact of education extended beyond the classroom.

The governor said his administration would continue to invest in education and other areas aimed at preparing Abia for technological and economic changes.

He described teachers as key partners in the development of the state and assured them of continued government support.

Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bauchi State Council, has threatened to withhold its votes from presidential candidates in the 2027 general elections unless its national leader, Bello Bodejo, is released from detention.

The group said it would not support the presidential candidate of any political party in the election while Bodejo remained in detention.

This is as it called on government authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to intervene, saying the matter should be addressed in the interest of justice, peace and Bodejo’s family.

The state chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Sale Garbu, disclosed this on Monday at a press conference in Bauchi, where he called on the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.

Garbu specifically appealed to President Bola Tinubu to review the circumstances surrounding Bodejo’s detention and the charges against him, with a view to securing his unconditional release.

He said the continued detention of the organisation’s leader had created anxiety among members, while also expressing concern about the effect of his absence on his family.

According to him, Bodejo had contributed to efforts aimed at promoting peace and security in the country, particularly through initiatives addressing challenges affecting communities.

Garbu also urged Bauchi State governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to intervene and support efforts to secure Bodejo’s release.

He said the organisation’s decision on the 2027 election was informed by its concerns over the continued detention of its national leader.