Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has approved the recruitment of 2,000 additional teachers as part of a fresh intervention following his declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector.
Eno announced the recruitment and a N2.1bn welfare package for teachers during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration at the Uyo Township Stadium.
He said the recruitment portal would be opened soon, urging qualified indigenes of the state to take advantage of the opportunity.
The governor also approved N50,000 wardrobe allowance and N10,000 transport allowance for each of the 21,167 public school teachers in the state.
In addition, he approved N500,000 support grants for each of the 1,776 registered private schools in the state.
Eno said the emergency declaration would be supported by an Education Emergency Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, with the Commissioner for Education, Ubong Umoh, and other members.
The committee, he said, would identify critical gaps in the sector and develop measures to reposition education in line with his administration’s ARISE agenda.
The governor also announced plans to construct 38 model primary schools across the state’s 31 local government areas, as well as the payment of WAEC and NABTEB fees for secondary school students.
He said about N2.4bn in outstanding teachers’ gratuities had also been paid, describing teachers’ welfare as a key part of his administration’s investment in education.
“My belief is that your reward begins here,” Eno said, rejecting the notion that teachers’ rewards should only be expected after death.
The governor also announced the conversion of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education into the University of Education following the passage of the enabling law by the state House of Assembly.
He named Professor Philip Afaha as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the new university.
Eno said the administration’s investment in education was aimed at securing the state’s future rather than serving as a platform for political competition.
The state Commissioner for Education commended the measures, while the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Nigeria Labour Congress also welcomed the government’s interventions, particularly the payment of outstanding teachers’ gratuities.
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