Rivers Hosts 85th JCCE Plenary: Fubara Urges Focus on Infrastructure, Teacher Motivation
The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the education sector through sustained investment in school infrastructure, teacher welfare and human capital development.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara stated this on Tuesday October 6, 2026 while declaring open the 85th Plenary Meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE), held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt. The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Peters Nwagor, described education as a critical instrument for national transformation and development.
The four-day meeting, which began on Tuesday, October 6 and ends on Friday, October 9, 2026, has as its theme: “Infrastructural Development and Teacher Motivation: Panacea for Improved Learning Outcomes.” It brings together education stakeholders from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory to deliberate on critical issues affecting education delivery in Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who welcomed the delegates to Rivers State, appreciated the Federal Ministry of Education for entrusting the State with the responsibility of hosting the national education gathering. He described the JCCE as the foremost technical and advisory platform for education policy development in Nigeria, noting that decisions reached at the Plenary would have far-reaching implications for teaching and learning across the country.
The Governor stressed that quality learning outcomes could not be achieved without adequate infrastructure and a motivated teaching workforce.
According to him, “No child learns well in a crumbling classroom, and no teacher gives their best when they are poorly equipped, poorly supported or poorly remunerated.” He said the Rivers State Government, guided by its “Rivers First” philosophy, had placed human capital development at the centre of its governance agenda, with significant attention to the renewal of educational infrastructure, rehabilitation of schools and creation of conducive learning environments.
Governor Fubara urged the JCCE delegates to deliberate boldly and practically on the challenges confronting the education sector, stressing the need for resolutions reached at the meeting to translate into measurable improvements in the lives of pupils, students and teachers across Nigeria. He also encouraged the delegates to take advantage of their stay in Rivers State to experience the warmth, culture and hospitality of the people, describing Port Harcourt as a city of resilience, enterprise and hospitality.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Folake Olatunji-David, described the 85th JCCE Plenary as an important platform for deliberating on critical issues affecting education delivery in Nigeria. She conveyed the goodwill of the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji-Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said-Ahmad, to the Rivers State Government and people for graciously hosting the meeting.
Olatunji-David appreciated Governor Fubara, the Rivers State Government, the Commissioner for Education, Permanent Secretaries, Education Secretaries, Heads of Education Agencies and other stakeholders for their participation. She also acknowledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Education in hosting the 2026 JCCE Reference Committee meetings virtually, noting that the meetings provided a solid foundation for deliberations at the Plenary.
Meanwhile in her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Mina Tele-Ikuru, said the State Government was making significant investments and implementing initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of teachers, which ultimately translate into better learning outcomes and positive results in the lives of students.
Ikuru said the decision to entrust Rivers State with the hosting of the 85th Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE) Plenary Meeting was a testament to the State’s commendable strides in the education sector and an indication that there were laudable achievements worthy of recognition at the national level.
She urged the delegates to actively participate in the Plenary’s deliberations and make the most of their stay in Rivers State by experiencing the warmth, hospitality and rich cultural heritage of the people.
