Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has called for stronger collaboration among teachers, parents, policymakers, and communities to make learning more impactful and meaningful across the state.
Speaking at the Lagos State Teachers’ Day celebration organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at the Teachers’ Pavilion in Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu—represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin—commended teachers for their dedication and invaluable role in shaping the minds and characters of future leaders.
Addressing the theme of this year’s celebration, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” the Governor said teaching should no longer be viewed as an isolated effort. He described teachers as the “lifeblood of society,” who awaken curiosity, nurture potential, and inspire students to dream beyond their limits.
“So, every day, through your patience and commitment, you shape destinies and build the foundation of our society. Today is your day to pause, reflect, and celebrate the immense value you bring to the lives of our children and to the future of our State and our nation,” Sanwo-Olu said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, urged teachers to continually develop themselves by acquiring new knowledge and technical skills to remain relevant in a fast-changing world.
He further advised teachers not to depend solely on government initiatives but to take personal responsibility for improving their teaching practices and embracing modern learning tools.
“You cannot afford to fall behind on ICT if you want to effectively teach digitally savvy students. Today’s students are internet experts, masters of computers and ICT gadgets. As their teachers, you need to step up, stay ahead, and acquire the skills to teach this tech-savvy generation.
“I challenge you, as educators, to proactively seek out knowledge on trending issues, processes, and procedures, and apply them effectively to enhance the school system.
Moving forward, just as this year’s theme affirms, I advocate for a collaborative approach within the school system, fostering symbiotic relationships among principals, staff, and teachers across districts,” he advised.
NUT Lagos state chairman, Hassan Akintoye, said to truly succeed, teaching must become a collaborative profession, where teachers work not in isolation, but in synergy with one another, with parents, with government, with technology innovators, and with society at large.
“So, collaboration means mentorship, sharing best practices between colleagues, teachers, and policymakers to co-create education reforms, teachers and parents work as true partners in child development, and so forth”.
However, called on the state government again to do better for teachers by seeing teachers to be seen as not just implementers, but as partners. “The future of education in Lagos requires policies that place collaboration at the core of teaching.
“Let us build schools where teachers do not compete, but collaborate, build a system where teachers, parents, and leaders are allies.
Let us also create platforms where every teacher, from the entrant to the most senior, has a role to play in shaping our collective future,” he said.
He promised that teachers would redouble their efforts as they look forward to another celebration next year.
Among other top state government functionaries at the event are the deputy governor, Dr Kadri Hamzat, who was represented by the Executive Chairman of the state’s SUBEB, Dr Hakeem Shittu; the Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, represented by the TESCOM chairman, Mrs. Victoria Peregrino, and the Tutor-General-Perm Secretary of Education District 5, Mr. Abiodun Hassan, and so forth.
