Teachers’ day: Sanwo-Olu says Lagos classrooms must adapt to AI, digital economy

Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s education sector through sustained investment in teacher training, capacity development and improved learning environments.

Sanwo-Olu made the commitment on Monday at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the NUT Pavilion, Central Business District, Agidingbi, Ikeja, with the theme, “Standing With Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Future.”

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the changing demands of education required teachers to continuously acquire new skills, particularly in technology, artificial intelligence, innovation and entrepreneurship.

He said the government would continue to invest in professional development while promoting the integration of technology into teaching and learning and improving facilities across public schools.

“The demands on teachers are changing. UNESCO and the ILO are now revising the 1966 Recommendation because teachers face pressures that did not exist then, from digital technology and climate change to inclusion, migration and displacement,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“The classroom of today is not the classroom of yesterday. Our teachers must be equipped for a future shaped by technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, entrepreneurship and a changing global economy.”

The governor also urged teachers to uphold professionalism and integrity, while calling on education managers and school administrators to create supportive environments where teachers could perform effectively.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that his administration recruited 4,353 qualified teachers between 2023 and 2025, deploying them across the state’s education districts and the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board.

He added that another recruitment exercise had been approved through the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board to further strengthen the teaching workforce.

On teachers’ welfare, the governor said the government had maintained its practice of paying salaries on the 23rd of every month and had approved N102.5 million in housing loans for teachers.

“We will keep recruiting on merit, because our classrooms still need more teachers,” he said, adding that requests concerning teachers’ retirement age and the Annual Teachers’ Merit Award were receiving the government’s attention.

In her goodwill message, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by a former Tutor-General, Education District IV, Mrs Anike Adekanye, commended teachers for their contribution to the development of the state.

She said the impact of teachers should not be measured solely by students’ examination results, but also by the professionals and responsible citizens who emerge from their classrooms.

Lagos Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said various government interventions were changing the narrative in the education sector, citing improvements in teachers’ welfare, infrastructure, teaching and learning outcomes, research and performance in West African Examinations Council examinations.

Addressing teachers’ demand for the restoration of the Teachers’ Merit Awards, Alli-Balogun disclosed that the state government had approved the request and that teachers would soon be invited to participate in the selection process.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Dr Olatoye Makaila Ayinde called for increased investment in teachers’ professional development, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital content creation.

He also advocated modern laboratories, smart classrooms and improved internet access in public schools, while urging the government to strengthen teacher licensing through the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.

Ayinde further called for special bursaries and scholarships for students studying education and greater involvement of practising teachers in curriculum development and policy formulation.

In his welcome address, Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Akintoye Hassan, pledged the union’s continued cooperation with the state government in advancing education.

Hassan, however, highlighted key concerns requiring government attention, including improved security in schools, the appointment of Headmaster-Generals, better infrastructure, teachers’ welfare and restoration of the annual merit awards.

He said addressing the issues would help improve working conditions and recognise excellence, dedication and innovation among teachers across Lagos State.