As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Teachers’ Day 2024, President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to improving the working conditions of Nigerian teachers and repositioning the teaching profession. Speaking through Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tinubu emphasized the critical role teachers play in nation building and the government’s dedication to prioritizing their welfare.
This year’s celebration, themed Valuing Teachers' Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education, highlighted the vital importance of teachers in shaping the future of society. Held in Abuja, the event saw the federal government presenting car gifts to outstanding teachers, administrators, and schools as part of the Presidential Awards.
During the event, Comrade Titus Amba, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), called on the government to expedite the implementation of previously approved incentives for teachers. These include the Special Salary Scale for teachers in primary and secondary schools, announced by the Buhari administration four years ago.
Despite the approval of welfare packages to revitalize the education sector, many of these promises remain unimplemented, leading to low morale among teachers, Amba lamented. He urged both federal and state governments to ensure these incentives, including bursary awards for education students, low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas, and special pension schemes, are fully executed to improve teachers livelihoods.
President Tinubu acknowledged the numerous challenges faced by teachers, particularly the acute shortage of personnel across the country. A 2024 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) survey revealed a significant gap, with 194,876 teachers missing in public primary schools alone. This shortage is even more severe in rural areas, where some schools are staffed by as few as one or two teachers, leaving students with limited access to quality education.
Amba further highlighted the concerning statistics from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, which indicated that 15 million teachers are needed in sub Saharan Africa by 2030 to achieve universal primary and secondary education. He called on the government to address this crisis urgently to prevent further deterioration in the educational sector.
In addition to infrastructural and staffing concerns, the NUT President raised alarm over the increasing security threats faced by teachers and students. He pointed out that Nigerian schools have become targets for terrorists, bandits, and school related gender based violence, which has disrupted teaching and learning, particularly in the North. Recent floods in states such as Borno, Jigawa, and Zamfara have also added to the challenges, affecting educational access for thousands of students.
Amba urged both federal and state governments to put measures in place to ensure the safety and security of schools, emphasizing that safe learning environments are fundamental to upholding the right to education.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, represented by Dr. Sununu Yusuf, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to empowering teachers. He announced that the Ministry of Education is actively working on improving teacher training, professional development, and access to modern technologies. These efforts aim to ensure that Nigerian teachers can deliver world class education, even in the most remote areas of the country.
Mamman called for the collaboration of all stakeholders, including state governments, private sector partners, civil society, and international development partners, to support the government’s mission to elevate the teaching profession and improve the overall quality of education in Nigeria.
As Nigeria celebrates World Teachers Day, the spotlight remains on the need to prioritize teachers welfare and address the critical challenges affecting the educational sector. President Tinubu's reassurances, coupled with NUT’s demands, underscore the urgent need for action. Ensuring that teachers are wellsupported, properly compensated, and provided with safe working environments is essential for Nigeria's development, as teachers play a key role in shaping the future of the nation.