A teacher at Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School Senior, Obantoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mary Adebayo, has been named Nigeria’s overall best teacher for 2026.

Adebayo received a new car at the President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards during Monday’s World Teachers’ Day celebration.

Gloria Nkolika Odionu of Awada Primary School IV, Obosi, Anambra State, received a car as the overall best administrator, while the Federal Government College, Otobi, won a bus as the overall best school.

Abraham Nnaluka Ngobir of Federal Government College, Enugu, also received a car as the best Unity School teacher.

In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti announced a N1 billion Teachers’ Appreciation Fund for teachers across the state as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.

Amid the celebrations, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has called for the establishment of a special salary structure for teachers and the implementation of the 27.5 per cent salary enhancement approved by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who presented the awards to the outstanding teachers on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praised the recipients and urged them to show greater commitment to educating the younger generation.

NUT President Titus Amba, who was represented by his deputy, Kizito Kalu, said such recognitions must be matched with decent remuneration, safe workplaces, adequate teaching resources, and continuous professional development.

Also, Governor Otti announced the Teachers’ Appreciation Fund while responding to the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Madu ChukwuJekwu, during the annual celebration at the Michael Okpara Event Centre, Umuahia, the state capital.

He directed the Accountant-General of the state to share the money equally among all teachers, describing the gesture as appreciation for their contributions to the development of Abia and the upbringing of its children.

Otti also issued a series of directives on teachers’ welfare.

The governor directed the state’s Accountant-General to ensure that all outstanding check-off dues owed to teachers were settled within seven days.

“If check-off dues have not been paid, maybe you have not provided the account because the money is sitting there,” he said.

Otti also directed that all teachers whose salaries were delayed due to verification issues should be paid by the end of this month.

The governor also ordered the immediate payment of salaries owed to the 4,075 newly recruited teachers who had not yet been paid, saying this should be done before the end of the month.

Commenting on the outstanding 2021 and 2022 promotions, the governor said he understood that the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) was working to complete the process.

He directed the board to harmonise the process with the Head of Service and submit it to him for approval.

Otti insisted that the exercise must be completed by the end of October.

Baring his mind on the retirement age of teachers, he governor directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to reinstate any disengaged teacher below 65 years.

“I am surprised that the matter is still outstanding. I want to instruct this podium to the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education that anybody who is below 65, if they have been disengaged, you must return them.

“I have approved here. Please, bring all of them back. Even if it is six months before retirement, bring them back. You don’t need further approval,” Otti stated.

Describing his administration as one committed to fairness and transparency, the governor thanked teachers for turning out in large numbers for the celebration, saying their presence demonstrated commitment to government and the education sector.

Also, ASUSS said the salary enhancement had either been suspended or remained unimplemented in several states of the federation.

ASUSS National President Olusola Adigun, who read the union’s communiqué at the end of its maiden joint national celebration of World Teachers’ Day and third National Leadership Workshop in Abuja, also called for improved welfare and working conditions for teachers.

The two-day event, held on October 5 and 6, focused on challenges confronting the teaching profession, secondary education and the Nigerian education system.

The union said it was demanding policies capable of attracting and retaining the best brains in the teaching profession, as well as continuous professional development, retraining and capacity building for teachers.

ASUSS also called for the unconditional and uniform implementation of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022, which was assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2023.

The union expressed concern over attempts to introduce additional conditions that could undermine the uniform application and intent of the legislation, urging relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law and implement the Act without arbitrary qualifications.

Commenting on school infrastructure, ASUSS expressed concern over the state of disrepair and inadequacy of facilities in many secondary schools across the country.

It demanded safe and adequate classrooms, functional laboratories, sufficient furniture for teachers and students, clean and reliable water supply and functional workshops for technical and vocational education.

The union said the provision of such facilities should extend beyond urban centres to rural and underserved communities.

ASUSS also demanded greater involvement of teachers and their representative organisations in the formulation and implementation of education policies and programmes, particularly those affecting the secondary school sub-sector.

It said teachers, because of their direct and continuous interaction with learners, were well positioned to identify the practical challenges and opportunities within the school system.

The union also called for respect for the right of secondary school teachers to belong to and be represented by their duly recognised professional union.

Among its other demands, ASUSS called for the establishment of a Special Schools Protection Squad, which it described as a new formation dedicated to schools.

It also urged states to domesticate the Senior Secondary School Education Commission as approved by the Federal Government.

The union said its demands were not privileges or favours to teachers but essential requirements for sustainable educational development and an effective education system.

ASUSS tasked teachers to match their demand for improved recognition and welfare with professionalism, discipline and ethical conduct.

It urged teachers to maintain high professional standards, avoid unethical practices, demonstrate commitment to duty, strengthen cooperation with school management and continue to serve as positive role models to learners and society.

The union urged the Federal and state governments and other stakeholders in the education sector to give urgent and positive consideration to its demands.

ASUSS said it remained committed to quality secondary education, the protection of teachers’ rights and welfare, and the restoration of dignity and professional recognition to teachers. (The Nation)