The world marked the 2026 Teachers’ Day on October 5, with educators, unions, associations, and stakeholders coming together to address the realities faced by teachers. This year's theme, “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures,” highlights the importance of supporting teachers in their roles. The day has been celebrated annually since 1994 to recognize teachers' contributions to transforming education.
Despite their critical role, teachers in Nigeria face numerous challenges, including inadequate salaries, heavy workloads, burnout, poor classroom conditions, and low professional prestige. Dr. Adebola Shogbuyi, a Lagos teacher, lamented the neglect of teachers, who play a crucial role in shaping pupils and students. She questioned why students are celebrated while teachers remain invisible, citing her experience of coaching students who won the One-Day Governor’s competition without receiving formal recognition.
Dr. Shogbuyi's concerns are not isolated, as other stakeholders share similar views. A certified private-school teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her experience of being underpaid at a school in Egbeda, Lagos, where she taught for 11 years. Despite the school's high termly fees, she was paid only N50,000 monthly, forcing her to leave the teaching profession and start her own business to support her family.
A Lagos school principal, Dr. Olatoye, warned against allowing teaching to become a "dumping ground" for people who cannot find employment elsewhere. He emphasized that the quality of Nigeria's education system depends heavily on the professionalism and welfare of its teachers. Dr. Olatoye called for stronger enforcement of professional standards, including compulsory licensing through the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for anyone teaching learners.
Dr. Olatoye advocated for the establishment of a National Teacher Welfare Fund, special bursaries, and scholarships for students who choose education as a course. He also urged stakeholders to prioritize teachers' mental health and welfare and create clear career progression pathways that would allow teachers to advance without abandoning classroom teaching.
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Nigeria called for urgent investment in teachers' digital skills and Artificial Intelligence (AI) training. NAPPS National President, Chief 'Yomi Otubela, stressed that AI should be deployed to strengthen teaching, assessment, research, lesson preparation, and learning outcomes, rather than diminish the importance of educators.
Chief Otubela emphasized the need for digital literacy and responsible AI use to become integrated into teacher professional development. He also called for greater consultation with teachers, school proprietors, and professional associations before introducing major policies and regulations affecting schools, and for stronger collaboration between stakeholders to support the teaching profession.
Key points
- Teachers in Nigeria face challenges including inadequate salaries, heavy workloads, and poor classroom conditions.
- Stakeholders call for stronger enforcement of professional standards and investment in teachers' digital skills and AI training.
- The teaching profession must be protected from being a "dumping ground" for job seekers, and teachers' welfare and mental health prioritized.
