The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, on Sunday urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to rescind his decision to hand over public schools to Catholic missionaries.
The NUT said the development may bring about inequalities, inaccessible to marginalized group
DAILY POST reports that state chairman of the union, Bernard Gbenga Ajobiewe, made the demand in his speech at the celebration of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day in Benin City.
The 2025 World Teachers’ Day has the theme, ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession’.
Ajobiewe appealed to the government to take a second look into the issue.
He opined that the handing over of schools to missionary organisations may deprive marginalized groups the opportunity to benefit from religious affiliate institutions.
“As a union, we are committed to advocating for the right, welfare of our people at the same time development of education in our State.
“Sir, we strongly appeal to you to take a second look into the issue of handing over schools to Missionaries organisations in the State. As a union, we are not in support of this agenda,” he said.
Ajobiewe further said the union believes that education should be secular, noting that any attempt to handover schools to missionaries will jeopardize the good intention of the state government.
He noted that the intention of the state government is to ensure that all Edo children receive quality and affordable education.
“The union observed that handing over schools to missionaries in Edo State is complex and needs to be handled with sensitivity and foresight to avert the unforeseen damages it may cause to the education sector in the state and society at large,” he said.
DAILY POST recalls that the Nigeria Union of Teachers, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, had in June 2025 faulted the planned return of schools to missionaries by the Edo State government.
The unions in a joint letter to the government expressed concern and disagreement over the decision of the government to hand over Catholic missionary schools to their original owners.
They posited that the move may seem like a positive step towards restoring autonomy and promoting religious freedom, but it poses significant dangers to the education sector and the state as a whole.
In his remarks, the State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Bernard Egwuakhide, said despite the difficulties inherent in the teaching profession, teachers put in their best to mentor and mould children who are the future leaders of the country.
“As teachers, you are the oil that makes the wheel of progress and growth of any and every society keep moving and moving towards the desired goal.
“As the Nigeria labour congress, Edo state council chairman, I congratulate you today as you continue to ensure that the economic, social, cultural and political development of Nigeria and indeed the world is continuous through your impartation.
“You are the momentum that continues to champion a society where men and women have relative equality and for this the whole world is grateful.
“Let us not also forget that the job of teaching is better done when parents, guardians and indeed the government collaborate to make the teacher wake up to performing their everyday wonders with great excitement, hope and a sense of fulfillment.
“I want to use this opportunity to implore the government in all its ramifications to encourage our teachers so that they can better do their jobs,” he added.
On her part, the Edo State Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Mrs Ebanehita Sonia Omonzane urged teachers in the state to to continue shaping young minds with patience and integrity, describing them as “true nation builders”.
Omonzane also urged every teacher to continue to embrace learning, teamwork and collaboration among themselves.
Reverse decision to hand over public schools to missionaries – NUT tells Okpebholo