On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) voiced serious concerns regarding the escalating challenges within the country’s education-minister-over-alleged-sack-of-varsities-vcs/” title=”Reps invite … minister over alleged sack of varsities’ VCs”>education system, highlighting a critical deficit of qualified educators and unmet governmental commitments.
Comrade Audu Titus Amba, the National President of NUT, addressed attendees at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day event held at Eagle Square, Abuja, on Sunday.
He referenced data from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which indicates a staggering shortfall of 194,876 nigeria-philippines-strengthen-ties-on-labour-migration/” title=”…, Philippines Strengthen Ties on Labour Migration “>teachers in public primary schools nationwide.
“The shortage of nearly 195,000 teachers in our public primary schools is deeply troubling. Secondary schools face similar difficulties. This shortage poses a serious threat to the quality of education and student achievement across Nigeria,” Amba emphasized.
He called on all levels of government to take urgent and effective measures to resolve this teacher deficit, cautioning that failure to do so jeopardizes Nigeria’s progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
“We join the global movement advocating for teaching to become a more appealing career choice for young people. It is imperative that the government recruits sufficient numbers of qualified teachers to maintain high standards in our educational institutions,” he added.
Amba also expressed disappointment over the slow implementation of welfare improvements promised to teachers since 2020, noting that many approved benefits remain unrealized by the Federal Government.
“While the extension of the retirement age to 65 has been adopted by 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the majority of other approved incentives have yet to be put into effect,” he remarked.
“We urge both Federal and State authorities to fully enact these welfare enhancements to uplift the status and morale of educators nationwide,” he stressed.
Additionally, Amba criticized the lag in enforcing the 2024 National Minimum Wage for teachers, revealing that ten states have only partially implemented the new wage, and four have not done so at all.
“We applaud the states that have complied promptly but call on those lagging behind to expedite action to preserve industrial peace,” he stated.
The World Teachers’ Day celebration, themed “Recasting Teaching As A Collaborative Profession,” will also feature the awarding of honors to outstanding state governors, recognition of the best March Past contingents, and the presentation of the President’s Teachers and School Excellence Awards, among other activities.
