Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Nigerian teachers have called for improved welfare, better working conditions, career advancement, increased recruitment, safer schools and greater investment in education as the country marked the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
The demands came as the Federal Government and several state governments announced measures aimed at improving the teaching profession, including recruitment, training, salary adjustments, infrastructure development and welfare packages.
The 2026 celebration was held under the theme, “Protecting and Advancing the Status of the Teaching Profession in a Rapidly Changing World.”
Speaking at the national celebration and President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the profession.
Alausa said teachers deserved professional respect, opportunities for career development, adequate teaching resources, fair recognition and working conditions that would enable them to perform effectively.
He also urged teachers to embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, while maintaining professional standards and the human connection necessary for effective teaching.
The minister said the government would continue working with state governments, professional bodies, labour unions, school administrators, development partners, communities and parents to improve teacher preparation, professional development and recognition.
He added that ongoing education reforms were focused on improving learning environments, strengthening institutions, developing skills for a changing economy and generating reliable data for policy decisions.
Teachers Highlight Challenges
In several states, teachers’ unions used the occasion to draw attention to challenges affecting educators and the education system.
In Oyo State, the Nigeria Union of Teachers demanded full implementation of the Safe School Programme, the integration of 135 teachers into the Teaching Service Commission, approval of inter-local government transfers and improved opportunities for conversion and career progression.
The union also called for the release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.
The Oyo NUT Chairman, Hassan Fatai, said the celebration was dedicated to teachers and pupils abducted during an attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Nureni Adeniran, said improving education was impossible without adequately supporting teachers through professional development, good working conditions, career progression and continuous training.
In Delta State, the NUT raised concerns over teacher shortages, insecurity, inadequate instructional materials and other challenges affecting educators.
The state chairman, Dickson Poubeni, welcomed the approval of Grade Level 17 career progression for eligible graduate teachers in public primary schools but said more needed to be done.
He called for improved security in schools, additional recruitment, better funding for school heads and the inclusion of the NUT in governing councils of state-owned educational institutions.
Responding, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said his administration was committed to improving teachers’ welfare, training and working conditions.
He said the state had approved Grade Level 17 progression for qualified graduate teachers in public primary schools and introduced a 13th-month salary for public servants, including teachers.
Abia Orders Payment Of Outstanding Benefits
In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti directed officials to address several outstanding welfare and employment issues raised by the NUT.
Otti ordered the re-engagement of teachers who had been retired or disengaged at age 60 but were below the new retirement age of 65.
He also directed the payment of outstanding check-off dues within seven days and ordered that salaries delayed because of verification issues be paid by the end of October.
The governor further directed the payment of salary arrears owed to 4,075 newly recruited teachers and ordered officials to complete the harmonisation of outstanding 2021 and 2022 promotions.
Otti said his administration was also developing smart schools as part of efforts to modernise education.
The state NUT chairman commended the governor for recruiting more than 9,000 teachers, settling inherited salary arrears and allocating 20 per cent of the annual budget to education.
Ekiti Announces N70.5m Rewards
In Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji announced N70.5m in cash rewards for outstanding teachers across the state’s 16 local government areas.
The governor also assured teachers that outstanding emoluments, including leave bonuses, would be addressed.
Oyebanji announced plans to construct a new state library in 2027 and said the government had recruited 5,530 teachers over four years to address personnel shortages.
He also cited regular salaries, car and housing loan schemes and other welfare measures as part of the government’s support for teachers.
Ogun Absorbs 1,500 Interns
In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the absorption of more than 1,500 OgunTEACh interns into the mainstream civil service.
The state government also announced more than N51m in rewards for outstanding teachers, administrators and schools.
Abiodun said more than 7,000 teachers had been employed since his administration came into office, while N24bn had been earmarked through the State Universal Basic Education Board for critical education infrastructure.
The Ogun NUT commended the government for teacher recruitment and the implementation of promotions dating from 2016 to 2024.
The union also welcomed the removal of the ceiling that previously prevented primary school teachers from progressing beyond Grade Level 16.
Ondo Focuses On Digital Education
In Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa called for increased investment in teachers, saying educators needed adequate tools, dignity and a conducive environment to perform effectively.
Aiyedatiwa said more than 2,100 teachers were recruited into public primary and secondary schools in 2025, while the government had invested in professional training and school infrastructure.
He said 43 new classroom blocks were constructed and 75 schools completely renovated in 2025, alongside the provision of furniture and learning materials.
The governor also highlighted the state’s move towards digital education, including the introduction of artificial intelligence-powered learning tools, smartphones and digital literacy programmes.
He said teachers were being equipped with laptops as the state prepared students for emerging fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
Edo Recruits 6,000 Teachers
In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo said his administration would continue to prioritise teachers’ welfare and education development.
The governor said 5,000 contract teachers had been absorbed into the state civil service, while 6,000 teachers had been recruited to address staffing shortages in public schools.
Okpebholo said the government would continue working to ensure that schools, including those in rural communities, had access to qualified teachers.
Sokoto Raises Salary Concerns
In Sokoto State, African Democratic Congress governorship candidate Manir Dan’iya called for urgent action over reported concerns about teachers’ salaries, employment security and welfare.
He urged the state government to clarify reports concerning delays in the payment of September salaries and the removal of some teachers from the payroll.
Dan’iya also called for regular professional training, adequate teaching materials, improved working environments and clear career progression for educators.
Kebbi NUT Defends Government
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State NUT rejected allegations circulating on social media that teachers were being poorly treated by the state government.
The union chairman, Zaki Sarki SK, described the video containing the allegations as old, edited and misleading.
He cited the reported increase in teachers’ salaries to N75,000, recruitment of more than 2,000 teachers, construction of classrooms and provision of teaching materials as evidence of government intervention in the sector.
Atiku Calls For Better Teacher Welfare
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also used the occasion to call for improved welfare for teachers.
Atiku criticised governments that celebrate teachers annually without providing adequate conditions for them to live and work with dignity.
He said teachers deserved policies that addressed the cost of living, decent employment and improved working conditions.
Atiku recalled the role his early teachers played in his life and said the profession should receive sustained government support rather than symbolic recognition on World Teachers’ Day.
Across the country, the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebrations therefore focused on the need to move beyond appreciation of teachers to concrete measures that improve their welfare, professional status, working environment and capacity to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
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