Gafar Alabi,

The Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evang. Olalekan Ifede, has charged 550 incoming 10th Cohort Fellows and 100, 6th Cohort School Leaders of Teach For Nigeria (TFN), from Ogun and Lagos States, to embrace innovation, service and leadership, saying their actions can positively shape the lives and future of Nigerian children.

Ifede, gave the charge while delivering a speech at the 2026 Pre-Service Training Institute organised by Teach For Nigeria at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), with the theme: ‘One Vision, Endless Possibilities, Inspired to Lead, Ready to Transform’.

He said quality education remained fundamental to the development and prosperity of every nation.

Represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Oke, the SUBEB Chairman charged the new fellows, existing teachers and school leaders to understand the responsibilities entrusted to them and strive to leave a positive and lasting impact wherever they serve.

        He appreciated the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, for its continued commitment to the advancement of education in the State, noting that the government's uninterrupted annual placement of 200 Teach For Nigeria Fellows across the State, as well as the regular payment of 50 per cent monthly stipends, demonstrated its commitment to strengthening basic education through strategic partnerships.

In his goodwill message, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, described Teach For Nigeria as an organisation vested with the  training and preparedness of  scholars for related employment.

He urged the fellows and school leaders to make a difference and create meaningful impact wherever they were posted, assuring them of the university's continued partnership with the organisation in its efforts to deliver measurable improvements to the education ecosystem.

Delivering his keynote address, Founder of Akin Akinpelu Learning and Development, Dr. Akin Akinpelu, charged the new fellows to ‘deliver the future’ in their classrooms, particularly within their various communities. He stressed that their target should not be limited to learners alone, but should extend to families and the wider community.

Earlier in her speech, the Chief Executive Officer of Teach For Nigeria, Mrs. Molade Adeniyi, reminded the Fellows that they did not arrive at this moment by chance, noting that they had gone through more than 80 sessions, 70 facilitators and countless hours of learning, reflection, practice and growth.

She stressed that the Fellows came into the programme as ‘rocks’, but that the Pre-Service Training Institute (PSTI), had shaped and strengthened them, while revealing what they were capable of becoming.

“Today, they are gemstones. They have every reason to be proud of themselves. They are more than teachers. They are the heroes of education in our time, stepping into communities with the opportunity to create lasting change and transform the lives of children. We cannot wait to see the wonders they will do,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the other fellows, Omowunmi Akinola, appreciated Teach For Nigeria for giving them the opportunity to serve, promising to be  good ambassadors of the organisation and fulfil the mandate entrusted to them.