Ogun State Government says it has earmarked ₦24 billion through the State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB) for the provision and rehabilitation of critical education infrastructure, just as it gifted over ₦51 million as cash prizes to outstanding teachers across public and private schools in the State.

The Governor stated this at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day Celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, saying, “Before a doctor learns to treat patients or an engineer designs a bridge, a teacher has awakened their minds and laid the foundation they are building upon. 

The Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, noted that ‘ behind the achievements society celebrates are teachers whose names may never make headlines, but whose influence remains written in the lives they have touched ''.

Abiodun informed that his administration has employed over 7,000 teachers, while the OgunTEACh programme has become a model that is being emulated beyond Ogun State.

The Governor commended Teachers in the State for distinguishing themselves nationally and internationally, winning prestigious awards for excellence, informing that even as we gather here today, some of our teachers and education administrators are in Abuja receiving national recognition as Best Teacher, Best Administrator, and Best School.

He pledged that his administration will continue to invest in teachers, schools and ultimately, the future of every child in Ogun State, adding that through the Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda, OGSERA, the government will keep improving curriculum delivery, school management, technology, infrastructure, funding, and Teachers' and Learners' welfare.

Abiodun also rewarded Best Teachers (Public & Private Schools category), Junior and Secondary Schools (Private & Public Category), as well as Best Administrators Public and Private categories.

First Prize of ₦2.5 million each to the Best Teachers, Second prize is ₦1.5 million, and the prize for third position is ₦1million naira.  Mr Rasaq Babtunde, Mrs Ayedun  Oluwakemi and Mrs Ajayi Fatimo Bisola won the first, second and third positions for Public Primary Schools respectively, while Mr Soleye Olugbemi, Akande Abosede and Kuye Funmilayo won the cash prizes for the first to third positions for Junior Public Category while Adebayo Oluwaseun, Akomolafe Beatrice and Àjọṣe Aderibigbe got the first, second and third prizes for Senior Public Schools respectively.

Mrs Akanni Àyọkà of Breakthrough Academy  Akute and Mr Kehinde Olusegun of Anglican High School Quarry won the first and second prizes for the Best Teachers (Private), Just as Mr Sodipo Raymond of Muslim Primary School, Ago-oko, Abeokuta; Mrs Bankole Oluranti of African Church Primary School 1, Ayetoro and Mrs Olakitan Silifat of Abeokuta South LG Nursery/Primary School, Ijemo, Abeokuta won the first, second and third prizes for the Best Administrators (Public Category); while Community Nursery and Primary School, Mike II and Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu got ₦10 million each as Best schools primary and Junior Secondary Schools category among other cash awards.

In his Speech, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogun State wing, Comrade Sewakanu Noah speaking on the theme of the World Teachers' Day celebration, "Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Future", said the theme was policy-oriented, advocating for better status for the Teachers.

Noah commended the Governor Dapo Abiodun administration for employing over 6,000 teachers through the OgunTEACh platform, noting that "for eight years before you assumed office, sir, there was no recruitment of Teachers." 

The NUT chairman acknowledged and appreciated the state government for approving and implementing promotion from 2016 to 2024, while approval for 2025 and 2026 has also been granted by the Governor, while also breaking the age-old ceiling that barred Primary School teachers from progressing beyond Level 16, saying the gesture has restored parity, hope and dignity to the primary school sector.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Award of Distinguished Leadership in Technology-Driven Education and Innovation to the Governor of Ogun State, while over 1,500 OgunTEACh interns were given letters of Appointment into the civil service mainstream by the Governor.

Speaking on behalf of the newly employed Teachers, Miss Olasoji Aderibigbe thanked the Governor for magnanimously absorbing them into the service, assuring the Governor that she and her colleagues will reciprocate the Governor's good gestures with more diligence and dedication to duties.