Gov. Eno Declares State of Emergency on Education, Approves N2.1bn Teachers’ Welfare Package
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency on education in the state, approving a major welfare package for public school teachers and financial support for registered private schools.
Governor Eno made the declaration on Monday 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 across Akwa Ibom State.
He also approved a N500,000 support grant for each of the 1,776 registered private schools in the state.
The Governor further approved 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 the recruitment process begins.
As part of the emergency measures, Governor Eno announced the constitution of an Education Emergency Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, with the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, and other members.
The committee is expected to undertake a comprehensive turnaround of the state’s education sector by identifying and addressing critical gaps and repositioning the system to meet the objectives of the administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Speaking on teachers’ welfare, Governor Eno rejected the traditional saying that teachers’ rewards are only received in heaven, insisting that teachers deserve to benefit from their service while still alive.
“Teachers’ reward is in heaven, but I say no. Teachers’ reward is here. My belief is that your reward begins here,” the Governor said.
Governor Eno also highlighted other interventions by his administration in the education sector, including the construction of 38 model primary schools across the 31 local government areas, payment of WAEC and NABTEB fees for secondary school students and the clearance of outstanding contributory pension obligations.
He disclosed that about N2.4 billion in outstanding teachers’ gratuities had also been paid, stressing that teachers’ welfare remained a major component of his administration’s investment in education.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, commended the Governor for what he described as significant interventions in the education 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 the education sector and attention to teachers’ welfare.
Similarly, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunny James, commended the administration for addressing outstanding teachers’ gratuities.
At the event, Governor Eno also announced the formal transition of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education into the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, following the passage of the enabling law by the State House of Assembly.
He subsequently announced 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.
