Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has restated his administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of teachers in the state.

Speaking on Sunday at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration themed “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession”, the governor responded to demands presented by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Egbeyemi Adedeji, on outstanding entitlements and other welfare issues.

Oyebanji announced the payment of the 2019 leave bonus for secondary school teachers, noting that alerts would begin to drop from Monday. He further pledged that all outstanding leave bonuses would be cleared “as soon as practicable.”

On the implementation of the harmonised retirement age, the governor disclosed that the policy had been approved for teachers willing to extend their service years. “If there is any teacher who wants to leave, you are free to leave. But for those willing and able, the extension has been approved,” he said, adding that a committee would soon submit its recommendations on the matter.

He also promised to approve an upward review of allowances for science teachers within the week, following a review by the Head of Service.

As part of the celebration, Oyebanji presented cash rewards to outstanding teachers across public and private schools in the state.

Commissioner for Education, Dr. Bimpe Aderiye, said the awardees were recognised for excellence and service delivery, adding that the gesture was aimed at motivating teachers. She commended the governor for investing in digital capacity building, ICT laboratories, and smart classrooms across Ekiti schools.

NUT chairman Adedeji, while thanking the governor, urged the government to fast-track the implementation of the harmonised retirement age policy, clear outstanding leave bonuses from 2019 to 2025, and prioritise payment of gratuity and pension arrears to retired teachers.

He also called for a review of allowances, especially science allowances, and urged the government to honour other pending entitlements.

The demands align with ongoing efforts by the state government to improve teacher welfare. In September 2025, Oyebanji had hinted at raising the retirement age for teachers to 65 years, while in March 2025, the state approved promotions for over 6,000 teaching and non-teaching staff.

The governor has made similar gestures in past Teachers’ Day celebrations. In 2023, he distributed over ₦35 million to outstanding teachers and committed to addressing promotion arrears, leave bonuses, car loans, and school renovations.