By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Executive Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, has emphasized the need for sustained commitment to teacher welfare as a cornerstone for education reform and national development.

Dr. Adagba spoke during the two-day 2026 National Teachers’ Summit with the theme “Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability,” organized by the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to a statement by the Board’s Information Office, Emmanuella Akese, the event brought together education stakeholders from across Nigeria to chart a sustainable path for strengthening the nation’s education system.

The summit focused on advancing teacher support, professional development, and welfare as key drivers of long-term educational transformation.

Speaking as a panelist in a session titled “Ensuring Teacher Well-being and Welfare,” Dr. Adagba described teachers as “the backbone of any meaningful education reform,” stressing that motivated and well-supported educators are essential for shaping Nigeria’s future.

She highlighted several strategic interventions by the Benue State Government aimed at sustaining the rising pupil enrolment across the state. “Our increased enrolment is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate investments in teachers, infrastructure, and learning resources,” Dr. Adagba said.

The SUBEB chairman attributed the growth to the recruitment of over 9,000 teachers, massive investments in school infrastructure, continuous monitoring and evaluation, and the provision of modern teaching tools such as smart boards, computers, whiteboards, and updated textbooks in basic education schools.

Dr. Adagba expressed gratitude to the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hajiya Aisha Garba, and the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, for giving her the platform to contribute to national education policy discussions. She described the summit as “a timely and strategic forum for redefining the future of teaching in Nigeria.”

She also commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for what she called his “unwavering commitment to basic education,” noting that his consistent support has positioned Benue State as a leading voice in national education discourse.

A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of EduEvamp, a digital learning platform designed to enhance teachers’ professional capacity and modernize classroom delivery. The platform is expected to provide educators nationwide with access to innovative tools and resources to improve teaching outcomes.

The summit attracted top government officials and education leaders, including First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Mark Useni; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; UBEC Board Chairman, Sen. Umar Tanko Al-Makura; Commissioners of education, SUBEB Chairmen, development partners, and teachers from across the country.