Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has been conferred with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Golden Award of Excellence for his outstanding contributions to education and the welfare of teachers.
The award was presented during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration at Eagle Square, Abuja.
Presenting the award, the NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, hailed Governor Fintiri as “the most teacher-friendly Governor in Nigeria,” citing his reforms in teacher recruitment, school infrastructure, and welfare enhancement.
Under Fintiri’s leadership, Adamawa has employed over 10,000 teachers, constructed more than 6,000 classrooms, and established Mega Science and Technical Colleges across the state’s three senatorial zones. His administration also introduced free basic and secondary education, paid WAEC and NECO fees, extended the retirement age of teachers by five years, and was the first in Northern Nigeria to implement the new minimum wage for both primary and secondary school teachers.
Other governors honoured at the event include Dr. Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Dr. Dikko Radda of Katsina, as well as the governors of Ebonyi, Kogi, and Delta States.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s event, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” Comrade Amba stressed the need to reposition teaching as a cooperative and transformative vocation. He also commended Governor Idris of Kebbi for donating a brand-new bus to the NUT national headquarters.
Similarly, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, praised teachers for their resilience and urged governments to improve learning and teaching conditions nationwide.
The Adamawa State delegation to the Abuja event was led by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley. Others included Senator Iya Abbas, Chief of Staff Dr. Emos Edgar, Head of Service Pharmacist Ardo Isa Shehu (mni), Commissioner for Education Hon. Garba Pella, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, Prof. Maxwell Gidado (SAN), Chief Kennedy Dauda (mni), Dr. Sulaiman Bashir, Zakariah Nyanpa, alongside organized labour leaders led by Comrade Emmanuel Fashe (NLC Chairman) and executives of the Adamawa State NUT.