Ajibefun Applauds Aiyedatiwa’s Emergence as Education Governor of the Year, Says Reforms Transforming Ondo
By Genesis Ogiri
The Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Amos Ajibefun, has applauded Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his emergence as Education Governor of the Year, saying the recognition reflects the administration’s sustained commitment to improving teaching, learning and human-capital development in the state.
Ajibefun, who spoke while addressing journalists against the backdrop of the governor’s recognition at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day Commemoration and President’s Teachers’ and Schools Excellence Awards in Abuja, said the honour underscored the importance the administration attaches to education as a driver of social and economic development.
According to the commissioner, the governor’s background in the classroom has shaped his appreciation of the responsibilities and challenges confronting educators, informing an administration that, in his words, has continued to prioritise teachers’ welfare, professional development and a more conducive working environment.
Ajibefun noted that the governor’s commitment to teachers’ welfare was also reflected in the prompt payment of salaries and allowances, as well as measures aimed at improving their working conditions and professional development. He said the administration’s responsiveness to the needs of educators had strengthened confidence within the teaching workforce and reinforced the government’s recognition of teachers as indispensable partners in the development of the state.
"He said the administration’s teacher-focused approach had been complemented by measures designed to expand access to education, including the payment of WAEC registration fees for students in public secondary schools, sponsorship of NABTEB examinations and other interventions aimed at ensuring that financial constraints do not impede students’ educational progression.
Ajibefun also cited the construction of 43 new classroom blocks in 2025 and the comprehensive renovation of 75 schools, saying the projects were aimed at addressing infrastructural deficiencies and providing more conducive environments for pupils and teachers.
He added that more than 2,100 teachers were recruited into public primary and secondary schools in 2025, while the government provided furniture for learners and teachers and distributed learning resources across the three senatorial districts.
According to him, attention had also shifted towards preparing the state’s schools for the demands of the digital age, with teachers undergoing digital and pedagogical training while learners benefit from initiatives involving artificial intelligence-powered learning tools, smartphones, literacy programmes and tablets.
The commissioner said the provision of laptops to digitally trained teachers would further enhance their capacity to engage with emerging areas of knowledge, including robotics and artificial intelligence.
He noted that the government had also introduced free shuttle buses and boats for students, particularly to ease transportation challenges and improve access to schools for learners in communities where distance and mobility remain significant obstacles.
Ajibefun described teachers as central to the success of every education policy, urging society to recognise the profession for its enduring contribution to national development.
“We should see teachers and the teaching profession as noble. Teachers are nation-builders. Teachers are noble people, and we should see them as important people in society. We must honour teachers and take care of their welfare.”
He said the award should be regarded as an acknowledgement of the collective efforts of teachers, education administrators and other stakeholders whose work continues to shape the state’s education system, adding that the government would remain focused on strengthening learning outcomes and preparing young people for an increasingly knowledge-driven economy.
