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From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, has honoured teachers who survived the May 15, 2026 school attack in Oriire Local Government Area and called for full implementation of the Safe School Programme to protect teachers and learners.
The union dedicated its 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration to teachers and learners affected by the attack, while pledging support for survivors and the families of slain teachers.
Speaking at the celebration at the Islamic High School Multipurpose Hall, Orita Basorun, Ibadan, the state NUT chairman, Hassan Ajibola Fatai, said the occasion evoked mixed feelings because of the sacrifices of those affected.
He described them as “heroes and heroines of the teachers and education struggle in the state.”
Recipients of the Heroes and Heroines of Teachers’ Award included the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs. Alamu Racheal Folawe; the 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.
Fatai commended Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal and education officials for their roles in the rescue and survival efforts, while urging the government to sustain improvements in teachers’ welfare and working conditions.
Those commended included Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Olayiwola; State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) chairman, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran; Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) chairperson, Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo; and Special Adviser on Education Intervention, Oloye Suraj Abiodun Tiamy.
Presenting the union’s demands, Fatai called for stronger protection in vulnerable schools, integration of 135 teachers into the TESCOM employment structure and approval of inter-local government transfers for some teachers appointed in 2005, many of whom had served in rural communities for more than two decades.
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He also sought greater administrative flexibility on conversion and career progression, prompt release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.
The NUT chairman urged teachers to embrace artificial intelligence and other technological developments, saying continuous improvement of their skills was necessary to remain relevant.
Earlier, Adeniran said teachers’ competence, welfare and professional status were central to transforming education, noting that the celebration marked the 60th anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers.
The event’s theme was “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.”
Adeniran said support for teachers must extend beyond ceremonial appreciation to professional development, decent working conditions, adequate teaching resources, career progression, mentoring and continuous capacity building.
He said Oyo SUBEB would continue to work with relevant authorities, teachers, communities and development partners to strengthen teacher quality and improve basic education.
Commending the Makinde administration, Adeniran cited regular salary payments, settlement of outstanding leave allowances inherited from previous administrations, abolition of the six-year waiting period for teachers’ progression and approval of advancement beyond Grade Level 14.
He assured teachers that their voices would remain part of policy discussions, adding that government, school leaders, parents and communities shared responsibility for ensuring that every child had access to a competent, motivated and professionally respected teacher.
