Abuja:The Federal Government has pledged its commitment to bolstering the teaching profession by improving teacher welfare, professional development, and learning environments, alongside integrating technology into education.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja. The event was themed: ‘Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.’
Minister Alausa highlighted that President Bola Tinubu has prioritized education within the Renewed Hope Agenda, supporting reforms aimed at placing teachers and learners at the forefront of national development. He emphasized that recognizing teachers is vital, as they lay the foundation for all professions and deserve respect and opportunities for advancement.
The minister also discussed the role of technology and artificial intelligence in education, noting that while these tools can aid teachers, they should not replace the essential human connection and judgement educators provide. He underscored the importance of equipping teachers to utilize new tools responsibly.
Furthermore, the Federal Government is striving to enhance teacher welfare, professional development, and learning environments by using reliable data for decision-making. The annual President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award was mentioned as a platform for acknowledging exceptional teachers and schools.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, urged for more robust measures to improve teachers’ welfare, working conditions, and professional status. Represented by the National Deputy President, Kizito Kalu, Amba called for the implementation of a special salary scale for teachers, approved in 2022, to boost their morale and dignity.
Amba also highlighted the need for recruiting and retaining qualified teachers, continuous professional development, improved resources, and enhanced security for teachers and students. He expressed concern over the management transfer of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association, viewing it as a threat to public education and teachers’ job security.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Abel Enitan, reiterated the centrality of teachers in developing Nigeria’s human capital and public institutions. He noted that the government is advancing teacher professionalization through accelerated certification pathways and has implemented a harmonized retirement age for teachers. Additionally, the recruitment of over 3,035 Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers is nearing completion.
Enitan also mentioned the Federal Ministry of Education’s e-Learn platform, which supports classroom instruction with curriculum-aligned resources. He encouraged teachers to maintain professionalism and integrity, urging continued stakeholder support for the profession.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State received an award for his contributions to education, while Mrs. Mary Adebayo from Ogun won a car prize as Best Teacher of the Year. Nasarawa State was recognized for its performance in the Teachers’ Day march-past, along with other outstanding educators who received various prizes.