Gov. Eno declares State of Emergency on Education, approves N50,000 allowance for Teachers

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency on education, approving a N2.1 billion intervention package for public school teachers and registered private schools in the state.

Eno made the declaration during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Uyo Township Stadium.

Under the new intervention, the governor approved a N50,000 wardrobe allowance and N10,000 transport allowance for each of the 21,167 public school teachers in the state.

He also approved a N500,000 support grant for each of the 1,776 registered private schools in Akwa Ibom.

The governor further announced the recruitment of 2,000 additional teachers into the state civil service, saying the recruitment portal would be opened soon.

He urged qualified Akwa Ibom indigenes to take advantage of the opportunity when applications commence.

As part of the emergency measures, Eno said an Education Emergency Committee would be constituted to undertake a comprehensive review and turnaround of the state’s education sector.

The committee will be headed by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, with the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, and other members serving on it.

According to the governor, the committee will identify critical gaps in the sector and develop measures to address them while repositioning the education system in line with the objectives of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.

Eno: Teachers’ reward must begin here

Speaking on teachers’ welfare, Eno rejected the traditional saying that teachers’ rewards are only received in heaven.

He said teachers should be able to benefit from their years of service while they are still alive.

“My belief is that your reward begins here,” the governor said.

Eno also announced plans to construct 38 model primary schools across the state’s 31 local government areas.

He said the government would continue to pay the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) fees for secondary school students.

The governor also disclosed that the administration had cleared outstanding contributory pension obligations and paid about N2.4 billion in teachers’ outstanding gratuities.

He stressed that teachers’ welfare remained a major component of his administration’s investment in the education sector.

College of Education becomes university

Eno also announced the transformation of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education into a 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 newly established university.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in education, describing the sector as a long-term investment in the future of Akwa Ibom rather than an avenue for political competition.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, commended the governor for what he described as significant interventions in the sector, particularly measures aimed at improving teachers’ welfare and creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Edet Emenyi, also expressed the union’s support for the administration, citing its interventions in education and attention to teachers’ welfare.

Similarly, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Sunny James, commended the administration for clearing outstanding teachers’ gratuities.

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