Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, the federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving teachers’ Welfare and ensuring the delivery of quality Education across all levels in Nigeria. During the 2024 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja with the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, emphasised teachers’ critical role in national development. He emphasised the importance of their efforts in promoting women’s empowerment, combating illness, and alleviating poverty, underscoring the administration’s commitment to enhancing their well-being and elevating the academic profession.
Moreover, the president recognised the importance the federal government places on learning, illustrated by the National Policy on Education. This initiative aims to motivate and enhance the efficiency of educators. Tinubu promised that ongoing efforts would equip educators with the essential professional and intellectual resources required to fulfil their duties. He stressed that government policies and regulations are crucial in ensuring instructors are available, accessible, and well-trained. Such initiatives involve ongoing assessment and review systems to inspire and equip educators for their responsibilities. Tinubu underscored the administration’s dedication to integrating new technologies into the academic system, allowing them to enhance their instructional strategies and stay relevant in a changing academic environment.
Sununu urged a collaborative effort to build a stronger academic system.
On his part, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, resonated with the president’s feelings. He thanked Nigerian educators for their steadfast commitment amid multiple challenges and reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to empowering instructors and supplying the necessary resources to improve their efforts. Sununu emphasised the importance of schools in the nation’s progress, pointing out that educators are the foundation for the academic system’s achievements. He emphasised the ministry’s commitment to enhancing educator training, continuous learning opportunities, and overall workplace environments across the country.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, Sununu emphasised the need for a united approach to establish an academic system where instructors are appreciated and can actively utilise their skills. He requested collaboration from various parties, such as state administrations, private industry representatives, civil organisations, and global partners, to back this initiative alongside the federal government. The minister further emphasised that enhancing the availability of contemporary technologies and tools is crucial, especially to ensure that instructors can provide high-quality education even in remote locations.
NUT outlines the demands from both the past and current administrations.
During the occasion, Comrade Audu Amba, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), voiced his disappointment regarding the lack of execution of welfare programs promised by former President Muhammadu Buhari on World Teachers’ Day in 2020. Amba urged the federal and state governments to uphold the approved incentives, which encompass a special salary structure for educators in primary and secondary schools, the reinstatement of bursary awards for those studying education, and the Special Teachers Pension Scheme aimed at retaining experienced professionals in academics.
He also emphasised the importance of increasing the Retirement age for instructors as a component of these incentives. Amba noted the troubling educator deficit across the country, especially in rural regions. In 2024, a study from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) indicated a lack of 194,876 educators in public primary schools. He expressed concern over how this shortage affects students, particularly in rural settings where only one or two instructors manage certain schools. He implored the authorities to immediately tackle this emergency, which he characterised as harmful to students’ future.
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However, the event also acknowledged remarkable efforts in the field of education, presenting awards to six state governors for their commitment to enhancing academic standards. Governors from Oyo, Benue, Enugu, Borno, Kano and Kebbi were praised for their strong support of educators. In addition, the President’s Teachers and School Excellence Award celebrated teachers who showcased extraordinary commitment to their profession. Notable figures present were former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2023 presidency, and other essential participants in the academic system. Their attendance highlighted the significance of educators and the shared duty to enhance their status and treatment across the country.