NUT Oyo elects new leaders as Hassan Ajibola Fatai emerges chairman

By Bukola Hameed

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State wing, has elected new executive members to preside over its affairs for the next four years.

The election of the new state executives was conducted on Wednesday during the 8th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the union held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Speaking during the opening session of the conference, the National President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Comrade Titus Audu Amba, said the union was founded on democratic principles and the philosophy of labour unions.

Represented by the National Social Secretary, Comrade Titi Ade Adebanjo, Amba explained that elections are regularly conducted at the national, state and local levels to usher in new executives at the expiration of every tenure.

He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to pursuing better welfare packages and improved conditions for teaching and learning across Nigeria.

The outgoing chairman of the Oyo State wing, Comrade Raji Oladimeji Ismael, highlighted major achievements recorded between 2022 and 2026, particularly in the areas of teachers’ welfare, professional development and infrastructural growth.

According to him, the union secured prompt payment of salaries, promotion arrears, annual increments and interventions on pension-related matters, while also resolving cases involving victimisation, wrongful postings, salary stoppage and other disputes through its Legal and Welfare Committees.

He added that sustained advocacy by the union led to the recruitment of additional teaching and non-teaching staff, easing workload pressure and improving teacher-pupil ratios across schools in the state.

Raji further noted that the union facilitated long-delayed promotions, organised training programmes for members and conducted mentorship and capacity-building sessions for young teachers.

On infrastructure, he said the union renovated the State Secretariat, established NUT Model Schools, constructed new classrooms, expanded the NUT Resource Centre and developed an Olympic-size sports complex.

He also disclosed that the union reconstructed the access road to the State Secretariat, produced customised Ankara materials for teachers and organised state-wide quiz competitions.

Despite challenges such as rising living costs, inadequate facilities and insecurity in some communities, he expressed confidence that the foundation laid by the outgoing administration would support greater progress under the incoming leadership.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, promised to work with members and stakeholders to reposition the union for better service delivery and improved welfare for teachers. Hassan, a teacher at Migrant Farmers Primary School, Igbo-Iroko, Kishi, also pledged to protect the integrity, dignity and professionalism of the teaching profession in Oyo State.

Other newly elected executive members include Adeleke Adesina as Deputy Chairman, Alonge Oluyemisi as 1st Vice Chairman, Morakinyo Oyebola as 2nd Vice Chairman, Badmus Abiona as 3rd Vice Chairman, Bello Folasade as 4th Vice Chairman, Titilolu Ibukunolu as Treasurer, Dada Kabirat as 1st Internal Auditor, Akinjide Yusuf as 2nd Auditor and Ajala Niyi as Publicity Secretary.

Also elected were Alao Femi as Social Secretary, Areo Felicia as Assistant Social Secretary, Mobolaji Ademola as State National Representative and James Ruth as Editor.