Ekiti celebrates, lifts teachers with disabilities

Ekiti State Government has rewarded outstanding teachers, administrators and educators battling disabilities with N6.5m.  

The celebration took place during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion along New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji with the theme: “Standing with Teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.”

In the special education teaching category, Mrs. Olaniyi Bamidele Ruth (Hearing Impairment) from the Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti, received ₦2m.

Mrs. Adebayo Adenike Comfort (Physically Challenged) from the Government Special School, Ido-Ekiti got N1m while Mrs. Christianah Ojo (Visually Impaired) from the Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere-Ekiti got ₦500,000.

For the administrative category in special schools, Mrs. Adu Olaide Temitope, Principal of the Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti, received N2m while Mr. Salami Oduntan Rasak, Principal of the Government Special School for Children with Intellectual Disability and Physically Challenged, Ido-Ekiti got ₦1m.

Oyebanji expressed profound gratitude to the state's teaching workforce for their unwavering support and dedication since the inception of his administration.

"I want to sincerely appreciate our teachers for their unwavering support since the inception of our administration. Their commitment and dedication to duty have enhanced and improved teaching and learning outcomes," Oyebanji stated.

The Governor noted that the state is aggressively modernising infrastructure to meet the demands of a technology-driven world.

He detailed that all 203 public secondary schools now feature ICT laboratories, interactive boards and 5kVA inverters, with internet facilities already deployed in 125 of them.

He added old school buildings have been renovated across all schools, perimeter fencing provided for 54 public secondary schools, and CCTV cameras installed in 48 schools with 85 more slated for installation this month.

Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Olabimpe Aderiye, commended informed the Oyebanji administration has invested over ₦18 billion in the education sector over the past four years, which includes ₦11.9 billion committed as counterpart funding for conducive learning environments, ₦2.289 billion disbursed for running grants, and ₦546.9 million dedicated to feeding children across the state's three special schools.

She added government expended ₦2.1 billion on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), ₦955 million on school placement fees, and ₦125 million on NABTEB examinations.