Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has declared a state of emergency in the education sector while approving among other interventions, the recruitment of additional 2,000 teachers to strengthen the state’s school system.
Governor Eno made the declaration Monday October 5, 2026 during the World Teachers’ Day celebration held at Uyo Township Stadium, Uyo.
“Other than the State Ministry of Health that we declared a state of emergency, I hereby declare a state of emergency in the Akwa Ibom State education sector,” he said.
He said the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, will work with the Commissioner for Education, Ubong Umoh, to set up a high-powered committee to look into the sector and come up with a comprehensive document for a standard upgrade in the sector.
“We trust God that as we constitute the committee on the state of emergency in our educational system, we will have deliverables that will make our students continue to record higher scores in their various promotional examinations.
“Once our children are educated, they can easily find their ways in life. And, we must take the education of our children very seriously,” he added.
The Governor enjoined all stakeholders in the education sector to collaborate with the State Government to enhance the standard of education.
The Governor highlighted some his administration’s achievements in the education sector, including the upgrade of the State college of Education, Afaha Nsit, to a University of Education, and announced the appointment of Philip Afaha as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor.
He also approved the recruitment of 2,000 additional teachers for primary schools, to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the sub-sector.
As part of his welfare packages for teachers, the Governor announced a wardrobe allowance of N50, 000 for each teachers in the State employ, and a ₦500,000 support for each of the 1,776 registered private schools in the State.
He congratulated the teachers on the celebration, and charged them to be dedicated to their duties to turnaround the sector for the better.
“I want our teachers to work harder and be held accountable in teaching our students; I want them to continue to do training and retraining; let our teachers be in school and stay in school,” he said.
Following a request for support to complete the NUT Secretariat, the Governor directed the Inter Ministerial Direct Labour committee to oversee the completion of the structure.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Education, Ubong Umoh thanked the Governor for his passion for educational development in the State, describing him as a progressive leader who prioritizes change in the educational sector.
He said the Governor has demonstrated commendable interest through huge investments in the State educational system at all levels.
Also speaking, the National President of NUT, Audu Amba, represented by Ofonime Ekanem, appreciated the Governor for his welfare packages for teachers and for his commitment to the transformation of education through model schools, teachers quarters, and others.
In his remark, the State Chairman of NUT, Edet Emenyi, said it was a momentous day for teachers, and appreciated the Governor for keeping faith with teachers in the State, and for being the only Governor to personally honour teachers with his presence at the World Teachers Day celebration in the State.
There have been reports that Akwa Ibom students performed poorly in the National Examination Council (NECO) result released recently, though the state government has rejected the claims.
The declaration of the state of emergency is seen as part of a broader objective of strengthening the sector with a view to improving the performance of students in public examinations.
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