The Oyo State Government has declared Monday, 5 October, 2026, a work-free day for all teachers across the state to commemorate the 2026 Teachers’ Day.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde.
2026 Teachers’ Day: Monday Work-Free Day In Oyo State
The declaration, it was stated, reflected the administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare, dignity, and professional development of teachers, who remain the backbone of the state’s educational system and key drivers of human capital development in Oyo State.
The work-free day was intended to provide teachers with the opportunity to fully participate in activities organised to celebrate their contributions, reflect on progress within the education sector, and strengthen unity within the teaching community.
The state government congratulated all teachers on this special occasion and reaffirms its dedication to policies and programmes that continue to enhance teaching and learning across the state.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has been described as the most education-friendly governor the state has ever produced.
The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated this in a separate release, on Sunday, to commend teachers in the state on the occasion of the 2026 Teachers’ Day.
He stated that the governor has accorded priority to the education sector since assuming office in 2019, noting that the administration recorded significant achievements in the sector.
Oyelade noted that the Makinde administration recruited over 21,000 teaching and non-teaching staff for public primary and secondary schools across the state since 2019.
He explained that the recruitment drive included 5,000 fresh teachers for secondary schools and the conversion of 2,000 non-teaching personnel to teaching positions under TESCOM in the administration’s first year.
He disclosed that 7,000 teachers were recruited through SUBEB and 7,500 others through TESCOM in 2025.
He added that the Makinde administration did not merely recruit teachers to fill vacancies, but ensured that the process was based on competence and merit, with candidates subjected to written examinations and interviews before their appointments.
He stated that the interventions were part of deliberate efforts by the administration to address manpower gaps in public schools and improve the quality of teaching and learning across the state.
According to him, the government’s commitment to teachers extended beyond recruitment, stressing that the administration had also prioritised their welfare, career progression and working environment.
He listed the prompt payment of salaries and promotions, payment of leave allowances and other fringe benefits among the measures implemented by the government.
He also listed the upward review of car loans, payment of wage awards to workers including teachers, and the removal of the six-year waiting period for the promotion of primary school teachers, among others.
Oyelade highlighted the creation of 10 TESCOM zonal offices, appointment of teachers as Permanent Secretaries at TESCOM headquarters and Permanent Secretaries/Teacher Generals at the zonal offices, as well as the establishment of SUBEB zonal offices across the three senatorial districts.
He added that the repair of the access road in front of the NUT State Secretariat was another intervention undertaken to support the activities of the union.
The Oyo State Government has commended teachers across the state for their commitment and dedication to the service of the state, describing them as critical to the development of the education sector and the future of the state.
The NUT was commended for its continued partnership with the government in advancing education in the state, particularly through its support for government policies and collaboration with the Ministry of Education, SUBEB, TESCOM and other relevant agencies.
Oyelade noted that the NUT also contributed to the development of education through the organisation of quiz competitions among secondary school students, training and retraining of teachers.
Other areas of the contribution, he stated, included engagement with the public, the establishment of the NUT Model Nursery and dedication of teachers, and would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving their welfare and strengthening the education system.
He congratulated teachers across the state on the occasion of the 2026 Teachers’ Day to remain committed to their responsibility of shaping the future of the state through quality education.
