L-R: Former Tutor-General, Education District IV, Lagos State, Mrs Anike Adekanye; Chairman, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, Mrs Mopelola Peregrino; Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Hakeem Shittu; Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun; Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Wing, Mr Akintoye Hassan; Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Mr Abdullah Olowa; Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress, Lagos State, Funmi Sesi; and Secretary, NUT, Lagos State Wing, Gbenga Ayetoba; at the 2026 World Teachers Day celebration
Teachers
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday called on teachers to uphold professionalism and integrity, while inspiring pupils to dream, learn, create and believe in themselves.
Sanwo-Olu made the call during the 2026 World Teachers Day celebration held at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Pavilion, Alausa, Ikeja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Teachers Day is held annually on Oct. 5 to celebrate teachers globally.
The governor was represented by His Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
The governor commended teachers for dedication and sacrifices, saying that Lagos valued their contributions to societal development.
“Our teachers are dedicated, and I want you to know that Lagos stands with you. Lagos appreciates you, and Lagos believes in you,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the challenges teachers faced, including spending long hours preparing lessons, assessing pupils and mentoring them beyond school hours.
According to him, the impact of teachers goes beyond examination results and reflected in the quality of professionals and other responsible citizens produced in society.
“Your contributions to Lagos cannot just be measured by exam results.
“It is also measured by the number of doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, public servants, and other responsible citizens that come out of your classrooms,” he said.
The governor said that teachers remained central to human development, adding that society must collectively support them.
“I urge you to understand that humanity will not survive without good teachers. It is just the way it is,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu called on parents, guardians, school administrators and other education stakeholders to see support for teachers as a shared responsibility.
“When we support our teachers, we strengthen our schools, and when we strengthen our schools, we secure the future of our children,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to invest in teachers and schools for the benefit of future generations.
Sanwo-Olu also urged education managers and administrators to create supportive environments where teachers could thrive, stressing the need to listen to their concerns and recognise their contributions.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare, including reviewing rewards systems and exploring incentives such as housing support.
“What I will promise is that we must sit down and get better at how we reward teachers.
“What can we do to make it better? What can we do to make the stress less? Those are the issues that we must discuss,” he said.
The governor described Nigerian teachers as among the best globally, citing international demand for their expertise.
“Nigerian teachers are, for me, the greatest in terms of imparting knowledge.
“If it is true that our education is going down, why are countries like the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada recruiting our teachers?” he asked.
He, however, emphasised the need for continuous improvement in the education sector.
Sanwo-Olu referenced global standards set by the International Labour Organisation and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
NAN reports that the standards emphasise fair remuneration, proper preparation, decent work conditions and respect for teachers.
Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos had taken steps to reposition its education sector, including restructuring ministries to improve focus on basic and secondary education.
According to him, the state is also addressing challenges such as overcrowded classrooms and emphasising the need for data-driven planning.
“It is not appropriate to have more than 30 students in a classroom.
“To principals, let us have the data of where we have too many students in classrooms because if we don’t have that data, we will make the wrong decision,” he said.
The governor wished teachers a successful World Teachers Day celebration.
“May the lives that you taught continue to testify to the greatness of your work,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said that the narrative of the state’s education sector had changed through different initiatives of the government.
The commissioner said that reforms were improving teachers welfare, infrastructure, learning outcomes, research, and performance in examinations.
He disclosed that the state government had approved the return of Teachers Merit Awards, urging teachers to participate in the selection process and view the recognition as appreciation of their contributions to education system.
In a lecture entitled: “Standing With Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Future”, Dr Olatoye Ayinde called for sustained investment in professional development.
Ayinde emphasised the need for trainings in Artificial Intelligence and digital content creation.
He also called for provision of modern laboratories, smart classrooms and internet access in public schools.
He urged governments to strengthen teacher licensing through the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, and provide special bursaries and scholarships for students studying education.
He also called on governments to involve practising teachers in curriculum design and policy formulation to ensure that education policies would reflect classroom realities.
Earlier, Chairman, Lagos State Wing, NUT, Mr Akintoye Hassan, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to maintaining a cordial and productive relationship with Lagos State Government.
Hassan assured the governor of the union’s continued support and constructive engagement in the development of the state’s education sector.
He highlighted the union’s demands, including improved security in schools, appointment of headmaster-generals, improved infrastructure, enhanced teachers welfare, and estoration of the Annual Teachers Merit Award.
He said that meeting the demands would serve as part of measures to recognise excellence, dedication and innovation in the teaching profession. (NAN)
