By Debo Akinbami

When Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said yes to the puffy demands of the university teachers, the soothing news affected the various layers of interests. That was after the unionists’ circle of brickbats proved ineffectual. And, when the dust settled, the teachers depicted the governor differently. They said his actions exemplified profound commitment to the welfare of workers and conveyed a clear message that his administration was worker-friendly.

Academics aren’t flippant utterers, ordinarily. To this extent, their words, I believe, profited from the first hand agreeable attitude they have seen the governor displayed repeatedly. Before the university lecturers wrote the letters, the “worker-friendly” sobriquet was deployed to describe Aiyedatiwa by the civil servants, to the near extent of a cliché. The lecturers’, however, arrived as a frontal affirmation of the tall rating of Aiyedatiwa.

While it raged, I had, in private conversations, told a few colleagues who were yet to be bitten by the bug of wrong perception that the governor was not an inch unwilling to approve of the demands; that the governor cares for workers as opposed to what the naysayers say. Aiyedatiwa cares about all classes of citizens. He deeply does. But, for too long, the wrong impression was distributed about him by persons who are either befuddled by his style or battled private guilts.

The truth, however, is that there is hardly any legitimate entreaty from any of the state’s tertiary institutions’ that Governor Aiyedatiwa has refused. Apart from paying the backlog of salaries inherited at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, there is no state-owned higher institution in Ondo, as of today, whose monthly subvention has not been increased, for, in the least, twice, under the Aiyedatiwa-led administration.

Even now, the governor has approved the immediate implementation of the FGN Agreement with unions on new salary structure in the state’s tertiary institutions. The delivery arrived with substantial increase in the subvention to the tertiary institutions to implement the new salary structure. These rare acts of compassion can only come out of a leader who truly prioritises the well-being of the workforce. For those who must know, Governor Aiyedatiwa makes no rhetoric. Here is a leader who is very intentional with investments in the education sector. He carefully carries matters that bother on this sphere, which is why his acts have since conveyed serious impressions herein. Here he makes deliberate policies and interventions. When last checked, his 2026 budget provides super-size funds for education, from which at least 500 basic schools will be constructed and rehabilitated across the state.

In unusual ways, this is meant to be different. It’s a unique way to make learning environments functional, conducive and secure for the young ones. To further position pupils for effective learning, Governor Aiyedatiwa has commenced digital literacy programme for the schools; and, to equip the students with the requisite digital skills to navigate an increasingly technology-driven world, students in 50 public schools have received digital tablets. While he equips the learners, the governor inspires the teachers with tangible motivations. The other day, Aiyedatiwa called out outstanding students and teachers for laurels. He gave enviable jobs to NYSC award recipients. To fifty-four Ondo State students who scored above 300 in the 2026 UTME, the governor gave N1million each; as he honoured, with substantial cash, students who represented Ondo State and Nigeria in academic competitions.

To ease sundry financial pressures on families and students in the higher institutions of learning, Governor Aiyedatiwa approved N400 million for 13, 360 students of Ondo State origin as bursary and financial fillip. Of the said figure, 11, 907 benefited from the bursary; 614 got scholarships, 239 Law School students received support, including 500 medical students undertaking clinical training and 100 physically challenged students.

Earlier, the governor had approved and released six hundred and thirty-three million, nine hundred and eighteen thousand naira only (N633,918,000.00) for the payment of the 2026 WASSCE registration fees for students in public secondary schools across the state. Governor Aiyedatiwa is doing these feats and more, not just as a social service but as strategic investments in the future of the state.

Asked what drives his many great deliveries in this sector, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed how he envisioned an Ondo State where no child is denied the opportunity to learn because of poverty; where teachers are respected and motivated; where schools are safe and conducive; where students have access to technology; and where excellence is recognised and rewarded. At this rate, I reckon that the sector, and the future of the state, is in safe hands.

Dr. Akinbami is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Public Communication.