World Teachers’ Day: Ogun State Hires 7,000 Teachers and Invests N24 Billion in Education

The Ogun State Government has hired over 7,000 teachers since Prince Dapo Abiodun became governor. This move is part of their ongoing effort to improve teaching and learning in the state.

The government is also putting aside ₦24 billion through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for building and fixing essential education facilities. At the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abeokuta, they gave out more than ₦51 million in cash prizes to outstanding teachers, schools, and administrators.

During the celebration at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, said that teachers are the foundation of every profession and society.

"Before a doctor learns to treat patients or an engineer designs a bridge, a teacher has awakened their minds and laid the foundation they are building upon," the Governor stated.

Abiodun emphasized that behind every achievement in society are teachers whose names may not be known but whose impact is felt in the lives they have shaped. He committed to continue investing in teachers, schools, and the future of children in Ogun State.

He pointed out that the Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda (OGSERA) will continue to improve curriculum delivery, school management, technology, infrastructure, funding, and the welfare of teachers and students.

The Governor also shared that the OgunTEACh programme has become a model for other states, thanks to the recruitment of thousands of teachers through this initiative. He announced that over 1,500 OgunTEACh interns have been absorbed into the civil service, with the new appointees receiving their letters at the event.

Abiodun praised teachers and education managers in Ogun State for excelling both nationally and internationally. Some teachers from the state were in Abuja receiving awards for Best Teacher, Best Administrator, and Best School.

This recognition highlights the quality and dedication of Ogun State teachers and shows the administration's aim to create a supportive environment for educators. The Governor also gave cash awards to outstanding teachers, administrators, and schools in both public and private categories.

First-place winners in the Best Teacher categories received ₦2.5 million each. Second and third-place winners got ₦1.5 million and ₦1 million respectively.

In the public primary school category, Mr. Rasaq Babatunde took first place, followed by Mrs. Ayedun Oluwakemi and Mrs. Ajayi Fatimo Bisola in second and third places. In the junior public school category, Mr. Soleye Olugbemi, Mrs. Akande Abosede, and Mrs. Kuye Funmilayo were first, second, and third respectively. In the senior public school category, Mr. Adebayo Oluwaseun, Mrs. Akomolafe Beatrice, and Àjọṣe Aderibigbe were awarded first, second, and third places.

In the private teachers’ category, Mrs. Akanni Àyọkà from Breakthrough Academy, Akute, and Mr. Kehinde Olusegun from Anglican High School, Quarry, emerged first and second respectively. For the public category of Best Administrators, Mr. Sodipo Raymond from Muslim Primary School, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta, won first prize. Mrs. Bankole Oluranti from African Church Primary School 1, Ayetoro, came second, while Mrs. Olakitan Silifat from Abeokuta South Local Government Nursery/Primary School, Ijemo, Abeokuta, took third place.

Community Nursery and Primary School, Mike II, and Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu, each received ₦10 million as the Best School in the primary and junior secondary school categories. Other award recipients were also recognized.

The event included an award for Distinguished Leadership in Technology-Driven Education and Innovation given to Governor Abiodun. This was in recognition of his efforts to promote technology in education in Ogun State.

Speaking on the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Future,” Sewakanu Noah Oladipupo, the Ogun State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), said the theme calls for better recognition and welfare for teachers.

Oladipupo praised the Abiodun administration for hiring over 6,000 teachers through the OgunTEACh platform and noted that there had been no teacher recruitment for eight years before this administration. He also appreciated the government for approving teachers’ promotions from 2016 to 2024 and for the upcoming promotions in 2025 and 2026.

The NUT chairman highlighted the removal of the ceiling that stopped primary school teachers from progressing beyond Grade Level 16. He said this change has restored hope and dignity to the primary school sector.

Speaking for the new teachers, Miss Olasoji Tobiloba thanked Governor Abiodun for absorbing the OgunTEACh interns into the civil service. She assured the government that the beneficiaries would respond with hard work and dedication.

The celebration brought together government officials, education administrators, teachers, union leaders, school owners, and other stakeholders to honor the contributions of teachers to Ogun State and the country.