The Akwa Ibom State Government has approved a ₦50,000 wardrobe allowance for each of the 20,000 teachers employed by the state.
Governor Umo Eno announced the allowance on Monday during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Uyo, saying teachers should maintain a neat and smart appearance to inspire confidence among pupils and students.
“I have approved another ₦50,000 per teacher as wardrobe allowance for all the 20,000 teachers employed by the Akwa Ibom Government,” Eno said.
The allowance amounts to ₦1 billion if paid to all 20,000 teachers.
The governor also announced ₦500,000 for each of the 1,776 registered private schools in the state to enable them to extend similar support to their teachers.
Eno described teachers as agents of change and said their contributions were central to the development of the state and the implementation of his administration’s ARISE agenda.
“The trite saying has been that ‘teachers’ rewards are in heaven. No! Teachers’ rewards are here!
“Our belief and conviction is that your reward begins here on earth; and we have taken concrete steps to actualise those rewards,” he said.
The governor also announced approval for the recruitment of another 2,000 teachers, following an earlier approval for 1,000 new teachers.
He urged qualified applicants to apply when the recruitment portal opens, participate in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and follow due process in line with civil service rules.
Eno cautioned that passing the CBT would not automatically guarantee employment, as applicants would still be required to meet other recruitment requirements.
He said the government’s interventions were aimed at improving the welfare of teachers and strengthening the education system.
Prof. Ubong Umoh, Commissioner for Education, commended the governor for investments in the education sector, particularly the construction of model primary schools.
Edet Emenyi, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Akwa Ibom Wing, also thanked Eno for his attention to teachers’ welfare.
Emenyi said the governor is the first governor in the state to personally attend a Teachers’ Day celebration during his seven-year tenure as NUT chairman.
