The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has pledged to prioritise teachers’ welfare and undertake major reforms in the state’s education sector within the first 100 days of his administration if elected governor in 2027.
Alli made the pledge in a goodwill message to teachers ahead of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration, outlining a series of proposed measures covering teachers’ welfare, professional development, school infrastructure, security and learning outcomes.
He said his proposed administration would introduce an enhanced teachers’ welfare package within its first 100 days, including improved car and housing loans, rural hardship allowances and a dedicated teachers’ housing and mortgage scheme, with priority given to hard-to-staff areas.
The APC candidate also promised to address outstanding promotions, inter-zonal transfers and secondments through a digital tracking portal designed to reduce delays and administrative bottlenecks.
Alli said his administration would establish annual State Teachers’ Excellence Awards, with cash prizes, vehicles, laptops and training grants for outstanding teachers.
He added that the selection process would be conducted digitally, with special recognition for teachers serving in rural communities.
On the welfare of retired teachers, Alli promised to establish a fast-track unit to process pensions and gratuities, alongside clear timelines for addressing outstanding arrears.
He also proposed continuous professional development for teachers, particularly in digital skills, artificial intelligence tools, inclusive education and subject mastery.
According to him, special incentives would be introduced for rural postings, while a structured teacher-mobility system would be developed to address the uneven distribution of qualified teachers across the state.
Alli said his proposed education agenda would also focus on school infrastructure and security.
He proposed a comprehensive school security system involving perimeter fencing, community security partnerships and rapid-response mechanisms, alongside support and insurance packages for teachers affected by insecurity.
He further promised the timely release of running grants to school heads through a digital accountability system.
The APC candidate said this would reduce situations where teachers and school heads are forced to use personal funds to provide basic materials required for teaching.
He also pledged to accelerate the renovation of classrooms, provision of furniture and development of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, with attention to rural and overcrowded schools.
On technology, Alli proposed expanding access to information and communication technology through solar-powered laboratories, digital devices and modern teaching tools, particularly in underserved public schools.
The APC candidate also identified the out-of-school children crisis as a major area of concern, promising to reduce what he described as an estimated 674,000 children outside the school system.
He proposed community mobilisation, incentives and public tracking of progress as part of the strategy.
Alli further promised specialised recruitment and training for special needs and early-childhood teachers, which he described as important components of an inclusive education system.
As part of the proposed reforms, Alli said his administration would introduce an “Oyo Teachers First Compact”.
He said the compact would contain measurable key performance indicators covering teachers’ welfare, security, professional development and learning outcomes.
The proposed framework, according to him, would be implemented in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other education unions.
Alli said teachers were central to human capital development and argued that education reforms would be difficult to sustain if teachers were not adequately supported, motivated and equipped.
“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,” he said.
He urged teachers to remain committed to their profession and pledged to work with education stakeholders to improve confidence in the state’s education system and deliver measurable improvements in learning outcomes.
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