Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called for greater investment in teachers, saying educators need the right tools, dignity and a supportive working environment to perform their duties effectively.
Aiyedatiwa made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering his acceptance speech after receiving a Special Recognition at the 2026 World Teachers' Day Commemoration and President's Teachers' and Schools Excellence Awards held at Eagle Square.
The governor dedicated the recognition to teachers in Ondo State, saying their contribution to education and the development of society goes beyond measurable academic results.
Aiyedatiwa, who said he had previously worked as a teacher, recalled returning to the classroom in March 2025. He said the experience gave him a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and challenges faced by educators.
The governor said education remained a major component of his administration's seven-pillar development agenda, adding that the state had focused on teacher recruitment, professional development, infrastructure and access to education.
According to Aiyedatiwa, more than 2,100 teachers were recruited into public primary and secondary schools in 2025, while the government continued to provide digital, pedagogical and other professional training.
He also said the state constructed 43 new classroom blocks in 2025 at a cost of about N3.1 billion and completely renovated 75 schools.
The governor added that 8,500 learners' furniture and 1,200 teachers' furniture were procured, while learning resources worth more than N150 million were distributed across the state's three senatorial districts.
He said the government had also provided computer textbooks to learners across the 18 local government areas, with additional school construction and rehabilitation projects included in the 2026 budget.
On teachers' welfare, Aiyedatiwa said his administration had continued to prioritise the regular payment of salaries and allowances, as well as the settlement of inherited gratuity arrears owed to retired public servants, including teachers.
He also highlighted measures aimed at reducing barriers to education, including free shuttle buses and boats for students, payment of WAEC registration fees for pupils in public secondary schools and sponsorship of NABTEB examinations.
According to the governor, N633.9 million was paid in 2026 for WAEC registration for 23,048 students, while N350 million and N400 million were committed to tertiary students' support in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
Aiyedatiwa said the changing demands of education also required governments to equip teachers and students with modern technology. He said Ondo State had introduced AI-powered learning tools, smartphones and literacy programmes through partnerships, while thousands of tablets had been deployed in public schools.
He added that laptops were being provided to digitally trained teachers as part of preparations for emerging areas including robotics and artificial intelligence.
The governor's remarks came as Nigeria joined other countries in marking the 2026 World Teachers' Day, which focuses on protecting and advancing the status of the teaching profession in a rapidly changing world.
Aiyedatiwa said improving education required attention not only to students and curriculum but also to the conditions under which teachers work. He urged continued support for educators serving in both urban and rural communities, particularly those working in difficult circumstances.
The governor pledged that his administration would continue investing in teachers, learners and educational infrastructure in Ondo State.
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