RismadarVoice Reporters
October 5, 2026
The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Delta State Wing, has called on the state government to recruit more teachers, strengthen security in public schools and provide adequate instructional materials to improve teaching and learning.
The State Chairman of the union, Dickson Poubeni, made the call during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration at the Cenotaph Ground in Asaba.
Poubeni acknowledged measures taken by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to improve teachers’ welfare, including the approval of Grade Level 17 career progression for qualified university graduate teachers in public primary schools.
He said the policy had addressed the long-standing situation in which graduate primary school teachers could not progress beyond Grade Level 14.
The NUT chairman, however, maintained that improvements in salaries and career progression must be accompanied by better working conditions.
He identified shortages of teachers in primary and secondary schools, inadequate security and insufficient teaching materials among the major challenges requiring government intervention.
The union called for adequate perimeter fencing around schools and the deployment of security personnel to protect teachers and pupils.
It also appealed for greater financial support for school heads to enable them to effectively manage their institutions.
Poubeni further asked the government to include NUT representatives on the governing councils of state-owned educational institutions.
He called for action on vacancies created by retired secondary school principals appointed as permanent secretaries and raised concerns about the ongoing screening exercise involving teachers.
Responding, Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Technical Education, Smart Ijeoma Ufoh, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare, professional development and working conditions.
The governor said the state had approved a 13th-month salary for public servants, including teachers, and was working towards legislation that would make the payment a statutory entitlement.
He said the government was also recruiting additional teachers, particularly in science-related subjects, while strengthening continuous professional development programmes.
Oborevwori added that the state was collaborating with the Universal Basic Education Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board to improve school infrastructure and learning conditions.
He stressed that supporting teachers required more than salary increases, pointing to professional training, improved working environments and adequate teaching tools as important components of education development.
The governor commended teachers for their contributions to the state and urged parents, communities and other stakeholders to support efforts to improve education.
The 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration was held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping Our Future.”
