In a rare but inspiring moment, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, stepped back into the classroom on Thursday, May 8, 2025, to teach pupils at St. James Mega Primary School in Akure, the state capital.
The governor, who was once a classroom teacher before venturing into politics, surprised both staff and pupils when he arrived at the public school unannounced and took up a chalk to deliver a lesson to the visibly excited children. The visit, which was part of activities marking the government’s ongoing education revitalization programme, has been hailed as a bold statement on the importance of leadership by example.
Clad in a simple white shirt and trousers, Governor Aiyedatiwa engaged the pupils in an interactive teaching session, drawing from his experience as a former tutor. He urged the students to remain focused on their studies and assured them that the government was committed to creating a learning-friendly environment across all public schools in the state.
Speaking to journalists after the classroom session, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that education remains the bedrock of societal transformation and that his administration would not relent in prioritizing it. He disclosed that the state recently approved the recruitment of 1,100 additional teachers to address the shortfall in teaching staff in primary schools across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
The governor also used the opportunity to inspect the distribution of educational materials including textbooks, writing materials, digital learning tablets, and sports kits, which were recently procured to enhance learning outcomes in public schools.
“This visit is more than symbolic. It is a reaffirmation of our administration’s commitment to revamping public education. We are investing in teachers, infrastructure, and learning tools because we believe our children deserve quality education regardless of their background,” he said.
The move has drawn commendation from education stakeholders and members of the public, who described it as both refreshing and visionary. Many praised the governor’s approach to grassroots engagement and his willingness to connect directly with the future generation.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s visit comes at a time when many state leaders are being called upon to demonstrate practical involvement in policy execution, particularly in sectors as critical as education. His action, many observers believe, sets a precedent for responsive governance and hands-on leadership.
