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.