The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has called for the full implementation of the Safe School Programme and improved welfare for teachers as it honoured teachers who survived the May 15, 2026 attack on a school in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The union made the demands on Monday during 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.

The NUT Chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, said the union dedicated this year’s celebration to teachers and learners affected by the Oriire attack, describing the surviving victims as “heroes and heroines of the teachers and education struggle in the state.”

Fatai announced that the union would honour surviving victims with its Heroes and Heroines Award, support families of slain teachers and identify with learners affected by the incident.

He lauded Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal and other government officials and stakeholders for their roles in the rescue and survival efforts following the attack.

The NUT chairman, however, urged the state government to sustain efforts to improve the welfare and working conditions of teachers.

He called for the full implementation of the Safe School Programme to strengthen security and protect teachers and learners in schools across the state.

Fatai also demanded the integration of 135 teachers into the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) employment structure, as well as approval of inter-local government transfers for some teachers appointed in 2005.

Other demands included administrative flexibility in conversion and career progression, prompt release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.

He urged teachers to embrace artificial intelligence and other technological developments, stressing that continuous investment in teachers was essential to improving the quality of education.

The NUT chairman said protecting, respecting, rewarding, empowering and investing in teachers remained critical to strengthening the education sector and securing the future of Oyo State and Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said education could not be transformed without teachers.

Adeniran stressed that the status, competence and welfare of teachers remained central to the future of education, adding that support for teachers should go beyond ceremonial appreciation.

He said the 2026 celebration marked 60 years of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

According to him, standing with teachers should include professional development, decent working conditions, teaching and learning resources, career progression, mentoring and continuous capacity building.

Adeniran said Oyo SUBEB would continue to collaborate with relevant authorities, teachers, communities and development partners to strengthen teacher quality and improve basic education across the state.

He commended the Makinde administration for what he described as its commitment to teachers’ welfare, citing the payment of outstanding inherited leave allowances, regular payment of salaries and the abolition of the six-year waiting period for teachers.

He added that the administration had also approved the upgrade of teachers on Grade Level 14 and above.
Adeniran assured teachers that their views would remain part of policy discussions aimed at improving basic education, stressing the collective responsibility of government, education authorities, school leaders, teachers, parents and communities in ensuring that every child had access to a competent, motivated and professionally respected teacher.

A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Heroes and Heroines of Teachers Award to teachers who demonstrated courage and dedication during the Oriire school attack.

The awardees included 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.