The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has honoured teachers who survived the May 15 attack on a school in Oriire Local Government Area, describing them as heroes and heroines of the education sector. The survivors were recognised on Monday during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Islamic High School Multipurpose Hall, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.
The event, which brought together teachers, government officials, education administrators and labour leaders, was held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.” Speaking at the event, Oyo NUT Chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, said the union decided to dedicate this year’s celebration to teachers and learners affected by the Oriire attack.
Fatai said the incident had left the teaching community with mixed feelings, noting that the affected teachers had shown courage and dedication despite the circumstances surrounding the attack.
He announced that the union would support the families of teachers who lost their lives, while also identifying with learners affected by the incident.
The NUT chairman also commended Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal and other government and education officials for their roles in the rescue and survival efforts following the attack.
The Heroes and Heroines of Teachers Award was presented to five teachers who demonstrated courage during the incident.
The awardees were the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs. Alamu Racheal Folawe; Vice Principal, Mr. Ojo Jonathan Adebayo; Mr. Olatunde Olutoye Zacchaeus; Mrs. Oladeji Jelilat Oluwakemi; and Mrs. Daunting Mary Temitope of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota.
Beyond the awards, the celebration also provided an opportunity for the union to draw attention to issues affecting teachers across the state.
Fatai called on the government to fully implement the Safe School Programme and integrate 135 teachers into the TESCOM employment structure.
He also appealed for inter-local government transfers for some teachers appointed in 2005, greater flexibility in conversion and career progression, prompt release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.
The union chairman further encouraged teachers to embrace artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, saying teachers must be equipped to remain relevant as the education sector changes.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said teachers remained central to any meaningful transformation of the education sector.
Adeniran said celebrating teachers should go beyond words and ceremonies, stressing the need for professional development, decent working conditions, adequate teaching resources, career progression, mentoring and continuous capacity building.
He said Oyo SUBEB would continue working with government agencies, teachers, communities and development partners to improve teacher quality and basic education across the state.
The SUBEB chairman also commended the Makinde administration for its efforts towards teachers’ welfare, citing the payment of outstanding leave allowances inherited from previous administrations, regular salary payments and the removal of the six-year waiting period for teachers.
He added that the state government had approved the upgrade of teachers above Grade Level 14.
Adeniran assured teachers that their concerns would continue to feature in policy discussions, noting that improving education required the combined efforts of government, education authorities, teachers, parents and communities.
The World Teachers’ Day celebration therefore ended on both a celebratory and reflective note, with the Oriire survivors receiving recognition for their courage while the NUT used the occasion to renew its call for better protection, welfare and professional support for teachers across Oyo State.
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