IBADAN/Nigeria: The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has dedicated its 2026 World Teachers’ Day commemoration to teachers and learners affected by the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The position was contained in a statement signed by the NUT State Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode, following the union’s celebration held on Monday at the Islamic High School Multipurpose Hall, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, NUT Chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, said the celebration was being observed with mixed feelings because of the sacrifices made by teachers and learners caught up in the Oriire attack.
The 2026 celebration was held under the global theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures,” bringing together teachers, education administrators, government representatives, labour leaders and other stakeholders.
Fatai described the affected teachers and learners as “heroes and heroines of the teachers and education struggle in the state” and announced plans by the union to recognise surviving victims with its Heroes and Heroines Award.
He also said the NUT would support families of teachers who lost their lives in the incident and continue to identify with learners affected by the attack.
The May 15 incident involved coordinated attacks on schools in the Oriire area, during which pupils, students and school personnel were abducted and teachers were killed. The victims were later rescued after weeks in captivity. Channels Television
At the commemoration, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said meaningful transformation of the education sector could not be achieved without giving teachers the professional support and working conditions required for effective teaching.
Adeniran said supporting teachers should extend beyond ceremonial recognition to include professional development, decent working conditions, adequate teaching resources, career progression, mentoring and continuous capacity building.
He said OYOSUBEB would continue to work with government authorities, teachers, communities and development partners to improve teacher quality and strengthen basic education in the state.
The SUBEB chairman also commended the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for measures he said had improved teachers’ welfare, citing the payment of inherited outstanding leave allowances, regular salaries, the removal of the six-year waiting period for teachers and approval for the upgrading of teachers above Grade Level 14.
He assured teachers that their views would continue to form part of policy discussions on basic education, stressing that government, education authorities, school administrators, teachers, parents and communities all had roles to play in ensuring that children had access to competent and adequately supported teachers.
Beyond commendation of government, the NUT leadership used the occasion to present a fresh list of demands aimed at improving teachers’ welfare, security and career development.
Fatai called for the 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 and greater administrative flexibility in conversion and career progression.
He also appealed for the prompt release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.
The NUT chairman urged teachers to adapt to artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, saying technological developments were changing the education landscape and required educators to continually update their skills.
He also called for sustained investment in teachers, arguing that protecting, respecting, rewarding and empowering educators remained critical to the development of the education sector and the future of Oyo State.
Fatai commended Governor Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Commissioner for Education Segun Olayiwola, Adeniran, TESCOM Chairperson Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo, Special Adviser on Education Intervention Oloye Suraj Abiodun Tiamy and other stakeholders for their roles during the Oriire rescue efforts.
A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Heroes and Heroines of Teachers Award to teachers recognised for their courage and dedication during the Oriire school attack.
Among the award recipients were the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs. Alamu Racheal Folawe; Vice Principal, Mr. Ojo Jonathan Adebayo; Mr. Olatunde Olutoye Zacchaeus; Mrs. Oladeji Jelilat Oluwakemi; and Mrs. Daunting Mary Temitope of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota.
The recognition placed the security and welfare of teachers at the centre of this year’s celebration, coming months after the attack that exposed the vulnerability of schools and education workers in parts of Oyo State.
