Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the recruitment of teachers into public primary schools as part of efforts to strengthen basic education, improve the quality of teaching and ensure that schools across the state have enough qualified teachers.
The approval was announced by the Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi, who said the exercise would address the shortage of teachers created by the retirement of many staff members over the past few years.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, Akinwumi said the governor’s decision reflected his administration’s commitment to improving the education sector and providing quality learning opportunities for every child in the state.
According to him, the recruitment exercise will be based strictly on consequential vacancies resulting from the retirement of teachers and will focus on filling existing gaps in public primary schools.
He explained that the aim is to ensure that schools have enough teachers to deliver quality education and improve learning outcomes for pupils.
“The recruitment will be based strictly on consequential vacancies arising from the retirement of teachers over the past few years.
“The exercise is aimed at filling existing gaps in public primary schools to ensure adequate staffing.
“The governor’s approval is a clear demonstration of his commitment to ensuring that our primary schools are adequately staffed with qualified teachers.
“This will not only improve teaching and learning but also guarantee that every child has access to quality basic education,” Akinwumi said.
He added that the recruitment exercise is in line with the Oyebanji administration’s human capital development agenda, which places education among its top priorities.
According to the SUBEB chairman, the recruitment will also provide employment opportunities for qualified young graduates in Ekiti State who have been seeking jobs in the education sector.
He said the government recognises that investing in teachers is one of the most effective ways to improve the quality of education and prepare children for future challenges.
Akinwumi assured prospective applicants that the recruitment process would be transparent, fair and based strictly on merit.
He said only qualified candidates would be considered and that all applicants would go through established procedures to ensure credibility.
According to him, candidates will be selected based on their academic qualifications, professional competence and the staffing needs of individual schools.
He added that special attention would be given to critical subject areas where there are shortages of teachers as well as schools located in underserved and rural communities.
The SUBEB chairman urged interested applicants to ignore rumours and unofficial announcements, advising them to monitor official SUBEB communication channels and other government media platforms for details of the application process, eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
He stressed that the government would release comprehensive guidelines before the recruitment exercise begins.
Akinwumi also recalled that this would be the second major recruitment of primary school teachers under Governor Oyebanji’s first term in office.
He noted that shortly after assuming office, the governor approved a similar recruitment exercise to address manpower shortages in public primary schools.
According to him, the latest approval demonstrates the administration’s determination to sustain improvements in the education sector rather than treating teacher recruitment as a one-time intervention.
Education stakeholders have consistently argued that the availability of qualified teachers remains one of the biggest factors influencing pupils’ academic performance, especially at the primary school level where children acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
Many public primary schools across Nigeria have experienced shortages of teachers over the years due to retirements, resignations and the slow pace of replacement. In many rural communities, a limited number of teachers often handle multiple classes and subjects, affecting the quality of instruction.
Ekiti has long been regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading states in education, producing many academics, professionals and public servants. Successive governments in the state have invested heavily in schools, teacher development and education reforms to maintain that reputation.
Governor Oyebanji’s administration has continued to identify education as one of the pillars of its development agenda. Beyond teacher recruitment, the government has undertaken projects aimed at improving school infrastructure, providing learning materials and creating a better environment for both teachers and pupils.
The state government has also partnered with relevant agencies and development organisations on programmes designed to improve basic education, strengthen school management and increase enrolment.
The move is also expected to improve access to education in remote communities where shortages of qualified teachers have remained a challenge.
For many unemployed graduates with teaching qualifications, the recruitment exercise offers an opportunity to secure public sector employment while contributing to the development of the state’s education system.
Parents and education advocates have welcomed the governor’s decision, expressing hope that the recruitment will lead to better teaching standards and improved academic performance in public primary schools.
They also urged the government to ensure that the process remains transparent and free from political influence so that only qualified candidates are employed.
As preparations begin for the exercise, attention is now focused on the official announcement of application dates, requirements and recruitment procedures.