The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has promised to place teachers at the centre of his proposed education reforms, with an enhanced welfare package to be introduced within his first 100 days in office if elected.

Alli made the pledge in a goodwill message to teachers in the state ahead of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.

He said the proposed package would include improved car and housing loans, special rural hardship allowances and a dedicated teachers’ housing and mortgage scheme, particularly for teachers serving in hard-to-staff areas.

The senator also promised to clear backlogs relating to promotions, inter-zonal transfers and secondments through a digital tracking system designed to reduce administrative delays.

According to him, his administration would establish annual State Teachers’ Excellence Awards, with cash prizes, vehicles, laptops and training grants for outstanding teachers.

He added that teachers serving in rural communities would receive special recognition under the proposed award scheme.

Alli further promised to establish a fast-track mechanism for retired teachers’ pensions and gratuities, with clear timelines for addressing outstanding arrears.

On professional development, the APC candidate said teachers would receive continuous training in digital skills, artificial intelligence tools, inclusive education and subject mastery.

He also proposed specialised recruitment and training for special-needs and early-childhood teachers, describing the two areas as important to building an inclusive education system.

On security, Alli promised a comprehensive school security architecture involving perimeter fencing, community security partnerships and rapid-response arrangements.

He said teachers affected by insecurity would also receive support and insurance packages under the proposed scheme.

The APC candidate said school heads would receive timely running grants through a digital accountability system, stressing that teachers should not have to use their personal money to provide basic materials for teaching.

He also promised accelerated renovation of classrooms, provision of furniture and improved water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, with priority given to rural and overcrowded schools.

Alli said his administration would expand access to Information and Communication Technology in public schools through solar-powered laboratories, digital devices and modern teaching tools.

On the challenge of children outside the school system, he pledged to intensify efforts to reduce the estimated 674,000 out-of-school children cited in available state education data through community mobilisation, incentives and public tracking of progress.

The figure has been reported as an estimate from earlier Oyo education data and should not be interpreted as a fresh 2026 headcount.

Alli also proposed an “Oyo Teachers First Compact”, with measurable targets covering teachers’ welfare, security, professional development and learning outcomes.

He said the framework would be implemented in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other education unions.

“Our teachers deserve more than applause; they deserve a government that respects their sacrifices, protects their lives, rewards excellence and provides the tools required to teach effectively,” Alli said.

The APC candidate said teachers remained critical to human capital development, adding that education reforms would have limited impact if teachers were neglected or denied the tools and welfare required to perform their duties.

He therefore urged teachers to remain committed to their profession, assuring them that his proposed administration would work with education stakeholders to improve confidence in the state’s education system and learning outcomes.

The member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has described teachers as important builders of the nation, saying their contribution to the development of Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.

Oseni, in a statement on Monday  by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, to mark this year’s Teachers’ Day, said teachers occupy a special place in society because of the role they play in shaping the minds, character and future of young Nigerians.

He commended teachers for their commitment to the profession despite the challenges confronting the education sector, saying their efforts often go beyond what is seen in the classroom.

According to him, his interventions in the education sector have been guided by the belief that giving children access to a better learning environment is one of the most important investments any government or representative can make.

The lawmaker said his contributions in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency include the construction of school infrastructure and classroom blocks as well as the provision of furniture, aimed at improving the learning environment for pupils and students.

He said his intervention had also focused on students from less privileged backgrounds, particularly those who could be forced to abandon their educational ambitions because of the cost of examinations and admission processes.

“In line with my commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial constraints, I have sponsored over 2,000 JAMB forms and more than 1,500 WAEC forms for indigent students. Beyond this, our scholarship and educational support schemes have continued to assist brilliant but underprivileged students at various levels,” the statement said.

The APC chieftain, however, said one of the most rewarding aspects of the intervention was seeing beneficiaries progress through different stages of their education, recalling the case of a beneficiary who had enjoyed consistent support and is expected to become a PhD holder from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, this year.

It continued, “this success story is a source of great joy and motivation. It confirms that consistent investment in education yields lasting results. When we support a student from secondary school through tertiary education and beyond, we are not just changing one life, we are transforming families and communities”.

‎Oseni congratulated teachers on the occasion, assuring them that education would remain a priority in his public service, while calling for greater support for teachers and sustained investment in the sector.

He said every child, irrespective of family background, should have the opportunity to receive quality education and build a better future.

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, has expressed concern over the growing number of out-of-school children in the state.

Adegoke raised the concern on Monday in Ibadan, the state capital, while speaking at the inauguration of his campaign council.

He described the situation as worrisome, noting that urgent steps were needed to ensure that children of school age have access to quality education.

Mega Icon Magazine recalled that a recent report indicated that Oyo State has the highest number of out-of-school children in the South-West, with about 674,324 children between the ages of three and 17 reportedly out of school.

Adegoke said it was disturbing that the situation persisted despite the huge federal allocations accruing to the state.

He stressed the need for greater attention to education and grassroots development, saying local government autonomy would help drive human development and economic growth at the grassroots.

“Local government autonomy is a vital tool in grassroots human development and economic growth,” he said.