Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved Monday, October 6, 2025, as a work-free day to enable teachers to celebrate Teachers Day in the State.
Abiodun announced this on Sunday at an event to commemorate the 2025 Teachers' Day celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
"The work-free is for only the teachers. It is through that his excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun approved this worthy work-free day for teachers in the state," Odufowokan said.
The governor also approved the construction of 12 blocks of 900 smart classrooms in four schools in each zone across the state.
The four benefiting schools are Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta; Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; Remo Secondary School, Sagamu; and Yewa College, Ilaro.
The governor also announced the absorption of 1,000 OgunTeach scheme interns into the State Teaching Service Commission, bringing the total to 5,000 since the inception of the administration.
Speaking further, the governor said approval has been given for the renovation of all special schools and an increment in the feeding allowance of pupils in special schools to make them feel a sense of belonging.
Abiodun, who acknowledged the contributions of teachers in moulding the character of future generations, agreed to pay transport allowances to all public school teachers in place of the work-free days currently being enjoyed by other state government workers.
Other achievements, according to Governor Abiodun, include the approval of the Ogun State Education Intervention Fund, the successful conduct of the BECE with the introduction of OMR (Optical Mark Reader) sheets, and the installation of ICT facilities in preparation for the flag-off of Nigeria Learning Passport for e-contents.
On why his administration did not access the 2020 UBEC funds, the governor said: "You recall that when I assumed office, this state had not accessed the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 funds. Shortly after I assumed office, we paid the counterpart funding for those four years, and we accessed the funding. The current one we are implementing is for 2018 and 2019."
Also, The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing teachers' welfare and promoting collaboration among educators to strengthen learning outcomes nationwide.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, restated this on Sunday in Abuja at the grand finale of the 2025 World Teachers' Day celebration and the President's Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards.
The minister said the commemoration, themed "Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,"aligns with Nigeria's education reform agenda and the global initiative championed by UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF and Education International.
The theme, according to the minister, is to recognise teachers' vital role in national development.
He noted that teachers remain the bedrock of human capital development and nation-building, adding that rewarding their efforts was an investment in quality education, student achievement, and national progress.
"Our experience has shown that when teachers are supported to work together through peer mentoring, joint lesson planning, co-teaching and the use of digital platforms, learning outcomes improve, and teachers experience professional growth and fulfillment," Alausa said.
The minister explained that the Ministry had implemented several policies to revitalise the teaching profession, including the National Teacher Policy, aimed at empowering and motivating teachers.
According to him, the ministry is encouraging peer support structures at school and zonal levels and leveraging ICT to connect teachers across states to access global best practices.
He added that the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the National Teachers Institute (NTI), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) were all working to ensure continuous professional development and regulatory compliance in the teaching profession.
"TRCN concentrates on licensing, monitoring compliance to standards, registration and regulating the teaching profession, while NTI sustains in-service teacher training and continuous professional development at the basic and post-basic levels," he said.
Alausa stressed that while teaching is often perceived as an individual practice, the future of education requires a culture of trust, openness, and shared responsibility among teachers.
"As education faces increasing demands and rapid change, the role of the teacher has evolved to become collaborative.
" A collaborative teacher understands that education is not an individual task but a shared responsibility," he said.
The minister called on community leaders, teacher unions, parents, and development partners to continue supporting the government's efforts toward achieving the Education for Renewed Hope Agenda and the education targets of Sustainable Development Goal 4.
On her part, the minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, explained that the Ministry was implementing several initiatives to promote collaboration and raise teacher quality.
Ahmad said the initiatives includes the National Teacher Development Policy (2022)the Digital Literacy and Skills Framework lt span and the establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) across schools nationwide.
She said these efforts were in line with the Ministry's commitment to raising teacher quality, professional pride, and overall learning outcomes.
"For too long, teaching in Nigeria has often been approached as an isolated responsibility, with each teacher carrying the heavy burden of instruction alone.
"Yet, the realities of large class sizes, curriculum reforms, digital transitions and diverse learner needs demand a more collaborative approach," she said.
Ahmad observed that while some teachers may be reluctant to collaborate due to concerns about interference or additional workload, building a culture of trust, shared responsibility was key to transforming classroom practice and student performance.
She said the recognition of outstanding school leaders, innovative teachers, and effective schools during the celebration would further inspire educators, improve retention rates, and attract more talented individuals into the teaching profession.
Earlier the National President of NUT, Comrade Audu Amba, said that the theme underscored the transformative potential of collaboration for teachers, schools and education systems.
Amba noted that the collaboration would not only help to reinforce a sense of belonging and purpose among teachers but also builds resilient equitable education systems.
He, however, expressed concern over the poor implementation of the incentives approved for teachers by the former president, late Muhammadu Buhari.
He, therefore, called on both the Federal and State Governments to ensure full implementation of the approved incentives to promote teachers' effectiveness and quality learning outcomes in the school system.
According to him, the wellbeing of teachers is crucial to attract and retain teachers in the profession and tackle the teacher shortage.
"World Teachers' Day also affords us the opportunity to take stock of achievements made and challenges facing teachers, the teaching profession and the education sector.
"It is in this direction that the NUT wishes to draw the attention of the government to some issues of great concern to teachers in the interest of quality education delivery in our school system.
"Funding of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria It is an incontrovertible fact that teachers constitute the single most of important factor that lays the foundation upon which the success of any education system is built.
"NUT wishes to use this special day for teachers to reiterate its call on the Federal Government to revisit the issue of delisting the TRCN among other regulatory bodies from Government funding.
"Government should also ensure that the Council benefits from the national budget in order to provide the needed empowerment," he added.
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