Ogun State Government says it has employed more than 7,000 teachers since the inception of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun as part of efforts to strengthen teaching and learning across the state.
The government also disclosed that it had earmarked N24 billion through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for the provision and rehabilitation of critical educational infrastructure.
The disclosures were made during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, where the state government presented more than N51 million in cash prizes to outstanding teachers, schools and administrators.
Representing the governor at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, said the administration recognised teachers as the foundation of every profession and the development of society.
He said the government would continue to invest in teachers, schools and the future of children across the state.
According to him, the Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda (OGSERA) would continue to drive improvements in curriculum delivery, school management, technology, infrastructure, funding and the welfare of teachers and learners.
Abiodun also said the OgunTEACh program had become a model being emulated beyond the state, following the recruitment of thousands of teachers through the initiative.
He announced the absorption of more than 1,500 OgunTEACh interns into the mainstream civil service, with their appointment letters presented during the celebration.
The governor commended teachers and education administrators for their contributions to the development of the state, noting that some Ogun teachers and administrators were in Abuja receiving national awards in the categories of Best Teacher, Best Administrator and Best School.
Cash prizes were also presented to outstanding teachers, administrators and schools in public and private school categories.
Winners in the Best Teacher categories received N2.5 million for first place, N1.5 million for second place and N1 million for third place.
In the public primary school category, Mr Rasaq Babatunde emerged first, followed by Mrs Ayedun Oluwakemi and Mrs Ajayi Fatimo Bisola.
For junior public schools, Mr Soleye Olugbemi, Mrs Akande Abosede and Mrs Kuye Funmilayo emerged first, second and third respectively, while Mr Adebayo Oluwaseun, Mrs Akomolafe Beatrice and Àjọṣe Aderibigbe took the top three positions in the senior public school category.
In the private teachers’ category, Mrs Akanni Àyọkà of Breakthrough Academy, Akute, and Mr Kehinde Olusegun of Anglican High School, Quarry, emerged first and second respectively.
For Best Administrators in the public category, Mr Sodipo Raymond of Muslim Primary School, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta, won first prize, while Mrs Bankole Oluranti of African Church Primary School 1, Ayetoro, came second and Mrs Olakitan Silifat of Abeokuta South Local Government Nursery/Primary School, Ijemo, Abeokuta, placed third.
Community Nursery and Primary School, Mike II, and Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu, each received N10 million as Best School in the primary and junior secondary school categories respectively.
The celebration also featured the presentation of the Award of Distinguished Leadership in Technology-Driven Education and Innovation to Governor Abiodun in recognition of his administration’s efforts in promoting technology-driven education.
Speaking on the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Future,” the Ogun State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Sewakanu Noah Oladipupo, called for greater recognition, improved status and better welfare for teachers.
Oladipupo commended the administration for recruiting more than 6,000 teachers through the OgunTEACh platform, noting that there had been no teacher recruitment in the state for eight years before the administration assumed office.
He also commended the government for approving and implementing teachers’ promotions from 2016 to 2024, with approval also granted for the implementation of promotions for 2025 and 2026.
The NUT chairman particularly praised the removal of the ceiling that had prevented primary school teachers from progressing beyond Grade Level 16, saying it had restored parity, hope and dignity to the primary education sector.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed teachers, Miss Olasoji Tobiloba thanked the governor for absorbing the OgunTEACh interns into the mainstream civil service.
She pledged that the beneficiaries would reciprocate the gesture through diligence, commitment and dedication to duty.
The celebration brought together government officials, education administrators, teachers, union leaders, school proprietors and other stakeholders to commemorate the contributions of teachers to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.
