Oyebanji pledges better welfare, 65-Year retirement age for Ekiti Teachers

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has assured teachers in the state of improved welfare packages, including consideration of a 65-year retirement age, an upward review of science teachers’ allowances, and efforts to settle all outstanding gratuities before the end of his first term.

Oyebanji gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti while hosting the new leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), led by its chairman, Lawrence Egbeyemi, and the Ekiti State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kolapo Olusola.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, the governor commended teachers for their contributions to the state’s human capital development and described them as critical to his administration’s shared prosperity agenda.

“The NUT is one of the unions that stand out when it comes to support for our administration, and I am extremely grateful,” Oyebanji said. “Education is the most important factor we can give to our children, and you are in the business of educating them.”

“If you are happy, you will build a future for us because the children are the future of any society. Whatever investment we make in education is an investment in our peace, and the era of looking down on teachers is over.”

Egbeyemi, in his remarks, thanked Oyebanji for prioritising teachers’ welfare, highlighting achievements under his leadership, including prompt salary payments, improved working conditions, promotion of teachers to Grade Level 16, employment of over 2,000 teachers, and increased recognition for their work.