In a move that’s being touted as “unprecedented and groundbreaking,” Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has approved Grade Level 17 for graduate primary school teachers and introduced a new salary structure for the HeadTeacher-General. The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) wasted no time in showering the governor with praise, calling the decision a “masterstroke of visionary leadership.” But is this really the game-changer it’s being made out to be?

The NUT, represented by Chairman Sewakanu Oladipupo and Secretary Samson Oyelere, issued a glowing statement, lauding Abiodun’s “unwavering commitment” to education. According to them, over fourteen thousand teachers are now basking in the glory of this career upgrade, with morale supposedly at an all-time high. The union even went as far as quoting Nelson Mandela, claiming the governor is wielding education as a “powerful weapon.”

Let’s not forget, Governor Abiodun is himself the son of a teacher and a product of public education,a fact the NUT was quick to highlight, painting him as the ultimate champion of teachers’ welfare. The union’s statement gushed, “You have demonstrated again an unforgettable love for teachers,” as if this single policy is the answer to all the sector’s woes.

The NUT insists that the Grade Level 17 upgrade will attract and retain top talent, boost academic performance, and create a more educated citizenry. Teachers, we’re told, are now filled with hope and optimism, ready to raise standards and deliver excellence. 

Kehinde Onasanya, the state’s Head of Service, confirmed the policy, claiming it will address “stagnation” and motivate teachers. He also announced a consolidated salary structure for the HeadTeacher-General, following what he described as a “comprehensive review” of career progression frameworks. The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has been ordered to implement the changes immediately, with officials promising that teachers will see the benefits “without delay.”

Of course, the administration is quick to link these moves to its much-publicized ISEYA agenda, which supposedly prioritizes education and social welfare. Onasanya declared Ogun State the “education hub of Nigeria,” and urged teachers to remain committed, promising that the government will continue to prioritize their welfare.

Stakeholders are lining up to applaud the governor, with many expressing optimism that these measures will lead to better outcomes for students and a brighter future for the state.