Makinde Doubles Oyo’s Secondary School Workforce in Six Years, Bolsters Education Sector

In a remarkable expansion of Oyo State’s education sector, Governor Seyi Makinde has more than doubled the staff strength of secondary schools across the state during his six years in office. From 13,730 in 2019, the number has soared to 26,436 by early 2025, marking a significant investment in human capital and reinforcing the administration’s focus on revitalizing public education.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Chairperson of the Post Primary Schools’ Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo, during the Omituntun 2.0 Inter-Ministerial Briefing held at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

According to Oladipo, the governor’s second term alone has seen the recruitment of 10,500 teaching and non-teaching staff, representing a proactive approach toward addressing the shortage of qualified educators and support personnel in the state’s secondary school system.

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Strategic Zonal Expansion and Reforms

Beyond recruitment, Governor Makinde’s administration has also undertaken structural reforms to improve efficiency in school management. One of the notable changes is the creation of additional Educational Zones to simplify the administrative burden of school supervision and monitoring.

“Four Educational Zones were created by His Excellency for ease of school administration, now adding up to ten Educational Zones,” Oladipo said. The new zones include Ibadan Zones I–IV, as well as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Kishi, Saki, Eruwa, and Iseyin.

This expansion, she noted, has enabled better coverage in the supervision of schools and improved access to government services for teachers and students across the state’s diverse regions.

The establishment of the Directorate of Pension and Post Services was another milestone aimed at enhancing the welfare of TESCOM retirees, ensuring timely and efficient pension administration.

Improved Career Progression and Welfare Initiatives

The TESCOM Chairperson emphasized the importance of recognizing and promoting educators’ careers. To that end, the commission successfully conducted promotion exercises from 2017 to 2024, ensuring that eligible officers across the education system received due career advancement.

Moreover, 10 Tutors-General/Permanent Secretaries and one Headquarters Permanent Secretary were appointed to ensure thorough supervision, monitoring, and compliance with educational standards.

Oladipo disclosed that in 2024 and early 2025, the recruitment of 7,500 teaching staff and 3,000 non-teaching staff played a critical role in improving academic outcomes in internal and external examinations. This initiative, she explained, also contributed to youth employment, which has a positive ripple effect on household income and overall economic well-being.

Financial Support and Digitized Loan Disbursement

The Makinde administration has also introduced various welfare initiatives targeted at improving the financial standing of education workers. Among these are vehicle loans for interested staff across the ten zonal offices.

To streamline the process, the government adopted e-payment methods for car loan disbursements. This eliminated the previously burdensome practice where staff had to travel to Ibadan to collect cheques, saving time and reducing stress.

In terms of operational funding, the state has maintained regular payment of Running Grants to all 695 public secondary schools in Oyo State. These grants have helped ease the administrative load on school principals, allowing for smoother day-to-day operations and better learning environments.

Future Plans: Principals’ Training for 21st-Century Education

Looking ahead, TESCOM is planning comprehensive training for all 695 secondary school principals in the state. This program will focus on 21st-century school management techniques, equipping leaders with modern tools to drive innovation and performance in their schools.

Mrs. Oladipo underscored the importance of preparing principals for evolving educational challenges, including digital learning, inclusive education, and community engagement strategies.

“We are proposing training for the 695 principals to expose them to 21st-century school management techniques,” she noted.

A Broader Vision for Education

Governor Makinde’s administration has consistently placed education at the center of its development agenda. From infrastructure renewal and workforce expansion to welfare improvements and digital transformation, Oyo State is fast becoming a model for public sector-driven educational reforms.

Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, noted in a statement that these initiatives are in line with the governor’s “Omituntun 2.0” vision, which emphasizes inclusiveness, capacity building, and long-term investment in youth.

With over 26,000 dedicated personnel now serving in the state’s public secondary schools, the administration’s education blueprint appears to be yielding tangible results—both in academic performance and workforce motivation.

As 2025 progresses, stakeholders expect more reforms and innovations that will consolidate Oyo State’s position as a leading light in education policy implementation.