The Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, has called on teachers to strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders in the education sector to improve learning outcomes in public Schools across the State.

Ifede made the appeal while delivering his address at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day (WTD) Celebration, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. The event had the theme: “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession: Together for Teachers, Together for Tomorrow.”

He emphasised the need for teachers to work closely with School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), parents’ clubs, old students’ associations and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agencies to ensure that learners receive quality education.

According to him, stakeholders play vital roles in mobilising community support, monitoring school activities, providing feedback, and ensuring accountability in the education system. He added that they also contribute through infrastructure upgrades, scholarships, mentorship programmes and moral support for teachers.

“Together, these stakeholders remind us that education is too important to be left to teachers alone. It is a collective assignment that requires all hands on deck. There is no society without teachers. Without teachers, there would be no presidents, no governors, no doctors, no lawyers, no engineers, no professors, no leaders of industry, and no professionals of any kind. Every great destiny has been shaped by the guiding hands of a teacher,” he said.

Ifede commended the Dapo Abiodun-led administration for repositioning the education sector in the State. He highlighted several achievements, including;

Completion of the 2018/2019 UBEC–SUBEB intervention projects across 309 sites in the 236 wards of the State,

Commencement of the 2020 and 2021 intervention projects, covering new classroom blocks and perimeter fencing,

Promotion of 7,225 teaching staff between 2023 and 2024, among others.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Apostle ‘Biodun Sanyaolu, said this year’s celebration served as a strong reminder that the future of education hinged on unity, strength and collective support.

He noted that teachers remained the backbone of the education system that shaped minds, inspired curiosity and nurtured the leaders of tomorrow.

“Our teachers’ dedication, passion and resilience deserve our utmost respect and appreciation. Ogun State is indeed blessed with one of the best teaching workforces in the world,” he said.

Delivering his address, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Sewakanu Noah, urged Governor Abiodun to enact legislation providing special incentives for teachers who lose their lives in active service and to establish an Educational Trust Fund (ETF) to mobilise resources and attract out-of-school children back to classrooms.

He described teachers as “catalysts for transformation” who play indispensable roles in societal development.

Also speaking, State Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Felix Agbesanwa, said that education thrived when teachers were empowered to collaborate, share ideas and innovate as a team. He also used the occasion to appreciate Governor Abiodun for various interventions that have brought hope and progress to schools, including the digitalisation of education, the OGUN TEACH Scheme, distribution of exercise books to learners and the OGSHIA Health Scheme for teachers’ well-being, among other benefits.

Dignitaries present at the event included; the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu; the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya; and the Chief of Staff, Dr. Toyin Taiwo, among others.