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.
