…Adeniran Assures Teachers of 2025 Leave Bonus Payment
The Oyo State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has honoured teachers who survived the May 15, 2026, school abduction in Oriire Local Government Area and the families of three teachers who died during the incident.
The union described the victims as “heroes and heroines of the teachers’ and education struggle” in Oyo State.
The recognition was part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held on Monday at Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, Ibadan, with the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.”
The theme marks the 60th anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, adopted on October 5, 1966.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said the anniversary was an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of teachers’ welfare, professional development and working conditions.
Adeniran said the ILO/UNESCO recommendation established international principles on teachers’ professional status, recruitment, employment, working conditions, development and participation in education policy.
He said its message remained relevant six decades later because the quality and future of education were closely linked to the status, competence and welfare of teachers.
According to him, “standing with teachers” goes beyond ceremonial appreciation and requires investment in professional development, decent working conditions, teaching resources, school leadership and policies that give teachers a voice.
Adeniran recalled that primary school teachers in the state could previously progress only to Grade Level 14, but said the government had extended their career progression to Grade Level 17. He added that the government had abolished the former six-year waiting period between Grade Levels 13 and 14, cleared salary arrears affecting primary school teachers and ensured that their salaries were paid alongside those of secondary school teachers and other civil servants. He also noted that the government had maintained payment of the 13th-month salary since 2019.
On leave bonus, Adeniran said outstanding arrears from previous years had been cleared and assured teachers that arrangements were underway for payment of the 2025 leave bonus.
He added that preparations for the 2026 leave bonus would follow, stressing that the administration was determined not to leave outstanding liabilities for the incoming government.
Adeniran further reaffirmed SUBEB’s commitment to teacher development, improved teaching practices and stronger support for schools.
In his keynote address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, called on the Federal Government to recruit at least 500,000 qualified teachers within five years to address Nigeria’s growing teacher shortage.
Adelabu described the shortage as a generational challenge requiring urgent investment in recruitment, welfare and professional development. He called for a special salary structure for teachers, timely payment of salaries and allowances, housing and welfare packages, improved school infrastructure, manageable class sizes and stronger continuous professional development.
The commissioner also urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in teacher education and welfare. He called on state governments, parents, communities, private organisations and teacher unions to support efforts to restore the dignity and effectiveness of the teaching profession.
In his welcome address, the Oyo State Chairman Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Hassan Fatai, said celebrating teachers must go beyond speeches and ceremonies.
He called for practical measures to improve teachers’ welfare, including regular payment of salaries and allowances, timely promotions, career progression, professional development, adequate staffing, better working conditions and safer schools.
Fatai appreciated the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as interventions in education and teacher welfare since 2019.
He, however, said this year’s celebration was marked by the painful memory of the sacrifice made by teachers and learners during the Oriire incident.
He said the victims, both survivors and those who lost their lives, remained heroes and heroines of the state’s education struggle, prompting the union to dedicate the 2026 celebration to them.
Among those honoured were Mrs. Alamu Rachael Folawe, Principal, Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Mr. Ojo Jonathan Adebayo, Vice Principal; Mr. Olatunde Olutoye Zaccheus, Senior Teacher; and Mrs. Oladeji Jelilat Oluwakemi, all of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Also honoured was Mrs. Dahunsi Mary Temitope of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yewota.
The union also honoured the families of the late Mr. Michael Oyedokun, Mr. Joel Adesiyan and Mr. John Olaleye, who died during the incident.
In a special tribute titled “The Classroom That Refused to Be Silenced: A Tribute to the Oriire Principal, Teachers and Pupils,” the NUT described the incident as one of the darkest moments in the history of education and security in Oyo State.
