The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), has unveiled his plans for the education sector, promising improved welfare for teachers, increased investment in schools, and full implementation of the National Teachers’ Policy if elected governor.
Yayi made the pledge on Monday during an interactive session with teachers at the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta. The event attracted more than 17,000 teachers from the state’s 20 local government areas, representing different unions and support groups, who endorsed him as their preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Addressing the gathering, the senator described teachers as the foundation of national development, stressing that no country can achieve meaningful progress without a motivated and well-supported teaching workforce.
He said his administration would fully implement the National Teachers’ Policy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda while introducing additional initiatives tailored to the needs of teachers in Ogun State.
“I will never abandon our teachers or leave them behind. I understand the critical role you play in shaping the future and building the next generation of leaders. Your welfare, professional growth, and working environment will always be a priority because no society can rise above the quality of its teachers,” Yayi said.
“I will serve you, work with you, and protect your interests. I also promise to build on the achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun.”
The APC candidate also acknowledged the teachers’ concerns over the Contributory Pension Scheme, assuring them that the issue would be carefully reviewed to arrive at a fair and sustainable solution.
He commended Governor Abiodun for his investments in education, particularly in teachers’ welfare, school infrastructure and reforms, promising to sustain and expand on those achievements.
Yayi noted that his relationship with teachers in Ogun State spans nearly a decade, citing his consistent support for World Teachers’ Day celebrations. According to him, his commitment to education has always been driven by passion rather than politics.
He thanked teachers who remained loyal to him despite challenges they faced because of their association with him, assuring them that their trust would not be taken for granted.
Highlighting some of his educational interventions over the past three and a half years, Yayi said he facilitated the construction of 128 classroom blocks, 56 staff rooms and four modern libraries across public schools in the state.
He added that the projects were supported with furniture and the distribution of more than 300,000 textbooks in key subjects to pupils and students.
The senator also disclosed that he established 13 ICT centres and eight skills acquisition centres, where thousands of teachers and students have received digital skills training. He said about 12,250 laptop computers were distributed to participants.
According to him, over 12,000 Ogun State students have benefited from scholarships and bursaries he facilitated, while 102 buses were donated to tertiary institutions to improve transportation on campuses.
Yayi also highlighted his role in sponsoring the legislation that upgraded the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, describing it as one of his landmark contributions to higher education in the state.
He further revealed that he paid the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 2,137 indigent students and had sponsored the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration fees of more than 15,000 candidates from Ogun State over the years.
The APC candidate said these interventions reflect his belief that education remains the strongest tool for social transformation and economic development. He pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would continue investing in school infrastructure, teacher welfare, educational technology, technical and vocational education, and human capital development.
