Teachers demand action on pay, jobs, security

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has actually prompted federal governments at all levels to act upon instructors’ well-being, recruitment, working conditions, expert advancement and security, alerting that the education system can not enhance without supported and encouraged instructors.

The union made the need as Nigeria marked the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, which likewise celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation worrying the Status of Teachers. The style was “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Future.”

Speaking on Monday at the nationwide event at Eagle Square, Abuja, NUT National President Comrade Audu Titus Amba, represented by his deputy, Elder Kalu Kizito, stated instructors must be concerned not simply as implementers of policy however as country contractors who should have appropriate acknowledgment, reimbursement and assistance.

The union’s needs cover much better pay and well-being, enhanced working conditions, recruitment and retention, constant expert advancement, accountable usage of expert system (AI), higher instructor involvement in policymaking and more powerful security for instructors and students.

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Wage structure stays significant issue

A significant issue is the hold-up in carrying out the unique income structure authorized for instructors in 2022. Amba stated it had yet to work 4 years later on and prompted federal government to move beyond statements and established a clear application system.

“An inspired instructor is a possession to nationwide advancement,” he stated.

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) likewise required an unique income structure identifying mentor as an unique occupation. Its National President, Comrade Olusola Adigun, stated the 27.5 percent increment authorized for instructors had actually not been executed in some states. He prompted federal governments to bring in “gifted and extremely certified graduates” into mentor.

Recruitment spaces continue

The NUT likewise raised issue over instructor lacks, especially in rural and hard-to-reach neighborhoods, stating some states had actually gone years without appropriate recruitment, leaving instructors overworked. It required continual recruitment and rewards to maintain instructors in underserved locations.

In Gombe, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by the Chairperson of the State Teachers’ Service Commission, Mrs Naomi Philip Maiguwa, stated more instructors would be hired before completion of the year. He stated his administration had actually hired more than 1,000 instructors given that 2019.

Gombe NUT Chairman Ali Baba Dalhatu called for payment of exceptional leave grants and complete expert allowances, stating regional federal government instructors get just half. He likewise advised the state to extend service years from 35 to 40 and retirement age from 60 to 65.

In Akwa Ibom, Governor Umo Eno authorized the recruitment of another 2,000 instructors, in addition to 1,000 just recently utilized, however warned that passing the computer-based test would not immediately ensure work.

Well-being procedures in the states

Eno likewise authorized a N50,000 closet allowance for each of the state’s 20,000 instructors and N500,000 for each of the 1,776 authorized independent schools to support their instructors. He stated a state of emergency situation in education and purchased an extensive evaluation of the sector.

He stated the state had actually launched N15 billion as its SUBEB matching grant, intervened in over 100 schools, continued to pay instructors’gratuities and paid assessment costs for 172,000 trainees.

In Ekiti, Governor Biodun Oyebanji revealed N70.5 million in benefits for impressive instructors. He stated the state had actually hired 5,530 instructors in 4 years and geared up all 203 public secondary schools with ICT labs. The NUT and ASUSS applauded the federal government however prompted it to pay exceptional leave allowances and other privileges.

In Lagos, Damilola Feyide, creator of Let It Shine Academy, a complimentary personal boarding school, explained instructors as the “bedrock” of the school. Having periodically taught, she stated she understood what the task needs, “however they do this day in, day out.”

She stated the school offers instructors with lodging, feeding and medical insurance, and arranges training, quarterly team-bonding activities and retreats. “We simply ensure that our instructors are cared for personally and expertly since you can’t offer what you do not have,” she stated.

Facilities stays unequal

In spite of such claims, facilities stays an issue. In Calabar, Cross River State, instructors and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) authorities regreted bad centers. At Government Technical Secondary School, Ikot Effanga, stakeholders grumbled about insufficient toilets and furnishings, while at Government Secondary School, Unwanse, citizens stated roofings, desks, doors and floorings stayed worn out regardless of a facelift for the entryway gate.

An instructor, Asuquo Edem, stated there was little to commemorate due to the fact that of the lack of government-employed instructors. PTA chairman Clifford Akpan stated moms and dads had actually turned to engaging instructors themselves. “We pay each of them N20,000,” he stated.

The state Commissioner for Education, Senator Steven Odey, acknowledged the deficit, blaming years of underfunding and overlook. He stated the state accessed N17.01 billion in UBEC intervention funds in between 2023 and 2025.

The Federal Government has actually vowed to reinforce instructors’ well-being and working conditions.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated: “Teachers should have expert regard, chances to establish throughout their professions, suitable resources, reasonable acknowledgment and excellent working conditions that allow them to teach well.”

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, stated instructor well-being and retention stayed concerns, which federal government was working towards a more meaningful nationwide system for instructor advancement and accreditation.

The NUT president, nevertheless, stated instructors need to be provided digital gadgets, reputable web, electrical energy and technical assistance before being anticipated to utilize emerging innovations. He required training in digital pedagogy and the ethical usage of AI. “Technology should empower the instructor, not reduce the instructor,” he stated.

Alausa, on his part, concurred that such tools might assist instructors customize guideline however worried that “the judgement, motivation and human connection of a knowledgeable instructor stay important.”

Unity, command schools deal with obstacles

Amba mentioned declared constraints on instructors looking for to sign up with the NUT, stagnancy of Education Officers at the directorate cadre for 13 to 15 years, non-payment of defaults and promo advantages, and declared rejection of unionisation rights in some organizations under the Ministries of Defence and Police Affairs and the Department of State Services. He prompted the Federal Ministry of Education to step in.

The NUT likewise opposed the reported concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association under a Public-Private Partnership plan, stating management of the school need to not be moved to a personal association. It required the plan to be reversed and for assessment with stakeholders.

Other states’ needs

In Kano, NUT Chairman, Baffa Ibrahim Garko, asked the state federal government to state October 5 a public vacation. He applauded Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for routine wage payments and facilities jobs however required parity in pay and conditions in between standard and post-primary instructors, enhanced allowances, more recruitment and payment of exceptional promo advantages.

The FCT chairman of ASUSS, Julius Ogundiran, required more instructors as existing workers retire, and for real estate, stating some instructors oversleep class while others invest much of their earnings travelling. In Taraba, NUT Chairman Nathan Solomon asked the state to think about knowledgeable instructors for visit as irreversible secretaries.

Educators’ well-being: How far has gov’t kept its guarantees?

Successive Federal Governments have actually made a number of dedications on instructors’ well-being, pay and standing. Some have actually ended up being policy or been partly executed, while others stay mainly unfinished, especially for state-employed instructors.

The Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act extends retirement age from 60 to 65 and service years from 35 to 40. The NUT states about 22 states have actually domesticated it. Kaduna started application in August 2025, and Niger in January 2026, however more than a lots states are yet to do so.

The Teachers’ Special Salary Scale, authorized in 2022, has actually not been carried out for the large bulk of state-employed instructors.

By late 2026, the NUT had actually provided final notices to 19 states over exceptional incomes, mentioning Kogi (15 months of fractional pay), Benue (10 ), Bayelsa (about 8.5) and Ekiti (6). 10 states have just partly executed the brand-new base pay for instructors, while 4 have not.

Stakeholders likewise indicate assured bursaries for education trainees that they stated have yet to end up being a consistent nationwide plan.

Reports by: Jide Olusola, Maureen Onochie (Abuja); Iniabasi Umo (Uyo); Eyo Charles (Calabar); Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano); Rabilu Abubakar, Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe); Raphael Ogbonnaiye (Ado-Ekiti); Magaji Isa Hunkuyi (Jalingo); Dotun Omisakin (Lagos)