The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has urged governments at all levels to increase investment in education, citing poor remuneration, teacher shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate instructional materials, underfunding, insecurity, weak policy implementation, and the digital divide as major challenges confronting the sector. NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, made the call at the 59th National Delegates Conference in Enugu. He emphasized the need for improved welfare for teachers and stronger protection of schools against insecurity. The conference brought together teachers, education administrators, government officials, and stakeholders to examine the future of teaching in the era of rapid technological advancement.
Comrade Amba identified key areas that require attention, including the implementation of approved teachers' welfare packages, such as the special salary structure, bursaries, pension scheme, housing, and loan facilities. He stressed that NUT remains committed to working with governments, labor unions, Education International, and other stakeholders to strengthen the teaching profession and improve learning outcomes. The NUT President's call for improved funding and welfare for teachers highlights the critical role that educators play in shaping the future of Nigeria.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who hosted the conference, emphasized that the future of education should not be framed as a contest between teachers and technology, but as a partnership in which technology empowers teachers to deliver better learning outcomes. He noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist teachers in lesson preparation, personalize learning, identify learning gaps, and expand access to knowledge. However, Mbah stressed that AI cannot replace the human qualities that define effective teaching, and that the future is "teacher with technology."
Governor Mbah highlighted his administration's commitment to education, disclosing that over 33 percent of the state's total budget across three budget cycles had been allocated to the sector. He also announced that the state had recruited 6,850 teachers to address the shortage of educators. The governor's investment in education reflects the importance of the sector in shaping the future of Enugu State.
Former NUT national president and Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, also spoke at the conference, emphasizing the importance of investing in teachers. He noted that his administration had prioritized workers' welfare and education, maintaining an up-to-date payment system for workers' salaries, pensions, gratuities, and death benefits. Idris disclosed that Kebbi had recruited thousands of workers, including teachers and health personnel, and had invested in the construction, renovation, and furnishing of over 2,000 schools.
Dr. Aisha Garba, Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), also addressed the conference, stressing that technology and AI should complement, rather than replace, teachers. She disclosed that UBEC had established 37 Smart Model Schools and 74 Digital Learning Centres to expand digital learning and strengthen teachers' capacity. Garba urged stakeholders to ensure that investments in technology remain inclusive and sustainable, particularly in underserved communities.
The conference, themed "The Deployment of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education Will Erode the Place of Teachers in the Classroom: A Myth or Reality?", provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the future of teaching in the era of technological advancement. The event concluded with a call for collaboration between teachers, governments, and stakeholders to strengthen the teaching profession and improve learning outcomes.
Key points
- Nigeria Union of Teachers calls for increased funding for education and improved welfare for teachers.
- Governors Mbah and Idris emphasize the importance of investing in education and teachers.
- Stakeholders stress that technology should complement, rather than replace, teachers in the classroom.
