RismadarVoice Reporters
September 23, 2026
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, has called on the state government to recruit more primary school teachers following sustained increases in enrolment in public schools.
John also appealed to the government to rehabilitate Qua Iboe Church Primary School in Esit Urua, Eket Local Government Area.
He made the call during the state government’s ministerial media briefing on the education sector in Uyo, where Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, presented details of the administration’s interventions and investments between 2023 and 2026.
The NUJ chairman said increasing pupil enrolment made it necessary for the government to strengthen the teaching workforce, particularly at the primary school level.
Figures presented at the briefing showed that enrolment in public primary schools increased from 401,212 pupils in the 2023/2024 academic session to 426,457 in 2024/2025 and 441,939 in 2025/2026.
Secondary school enrolment also increased from 390,721 students in 2023/2024 to 415,631 in 2024/2025 and 416,334 in 2025/2026.
John said increased access to education needed to be matched by adequate teaching personnel to prevent growing enrolment from placing additional pressure on existing teachers.
His call followed a disclosure by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Anietie Etuk, that the board was planning further recruitment of teachers, with greater consideration for applicants from communities where vacancies exist.
Etuk said the approach was intended to reduce challenges associated with posting teachers far from their communities and improve teacher availability in schools.
JOHN COMMENDS NAAKISS ELECTION
The NUJ chairman also commended Umoh for his role in the recently concluded election of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, NAAKISS.
John described the election as free, fair and credible, noting that it produced the association’s first female president in 30 years.
He said sustained engagement involving government, educational institutions, students, communities and other stakeholders remained important to improving education across the state.
AKWA IBOM SPENDS ₦6.87BN ON EXAMINATION FEES
Presenting the administration’s education scorecard, Umoh said the government had continued investments in free and compulsory education, infrastructure, teacher development, examination support and student welfare.
The commissioner disclosed that approximately ₦6.87 billion was committed to examination fees between 2023 and 2026.
Another ₦65 million was spent on science practical materials for students in 2025 and 2026, while more than ₦616 million was expended on uploading continuous assessment records required for West African Examinations Council examinations.
On infrastructure, Umoh said 31 model primary schools had been constructed alongside five other special interventions, with 18 of the projects already commissioned.
He said the model schools were designed as comprehensive facilities incorporating classrooms, furnished teachers’ quarters, perimeter fencing, water supply, electricity and other supporting infrastructure.
Pupils attending the model schools also receive uniforms, shoes, socks, school bags, exercise books and other learning materials under the state’s free education programme.
AKSU PROGRAMMES RISE FROM 43 TO 84
At the tertiary education level, Umoh said the number of degree programmes at Akwa Ibom State University increased from 43 programmes across eight faculties in 2023 to 84 programmes across 17 faculties in 2026.
Student enrolment at the university also increased from approximately 9,082 to 11,423 over the period, according to figures presented at the briefing.
The commissioner further highlighted scholarship initiatives, including support for students who represented Nigeria at the Singapore-Nigeria bilateral school debate.
He said the government also provided ₦160 million in scholarship support for a University of Uyo medical graduate to pursue further studies at McGill University in Canada.
OVER 2,000 TRAINED AT DAKADA CENTRE
Rector of the Dakada Skills Acquisition Centre, Prof. Enoidem Usoro, said more than 2,000 people had undergone various skills acquisition programmes at the centre.
She said government-sponsored participants were provided with accommodation, feeding and training materials during their programmes.
Etuk, meanwhile, disclosed that 199 schools had been rehabilitated during the period under review, alongside the provision of educational and learning materials.
He said SUBEB had also trained teachers and members of School-Based Management Committees while implementing a whole-school approach covering fencing, water supply, WASH facilities, lighting and teachers’ quarters.
The ministerial briefing was coordinated by Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, as part of activities reviewing the administration’s interventions in the education sector since 2023.
