By Jumoke Olaitan
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the teaching profession through improved teacher welfare, professional development, better learning environments and the use of technology in education.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said this at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja on Monday.
The celebration was themed: “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.”
The minister said President Bola Tinubu had placed education at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda and was supporting reforms aimed at putting teachers and learners at the heart of national development.
“The President believes in the promise of our young people and has been unwavering on this day of national recognition,” he said.
He said teachers played a major role in building the country, noting that every profession depended on the foundation provided by teachers.
“When we honour teachers, we honour the people who make every other profession possible,” he said.
The minister said teachers deserved professional respect, opportunities for career development, adequate resources, fair recognition and good working conditions.
On technology and artificial intelligence, he said the tools could support teachers and improve learning but should not replace the human connection and judgement of teachers.
“We must equip teachers to use new tools responsibly and confidently, while safeguarding the standards and values of this most important profession,” he said.
He said the Federal Government was also working to improve teacher welfare, professional development, learning environments, institutions and the use of reliable data for decision-making.
The minister further said the annual President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award was an opportunity to recognise outstanding teachers, school administrators and schools for professionalism, innovation and leadership.
He congratulated the award recipients and urged them to maintain the standards that earned them the recognition.
On his part, the National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, called for stronger action to improve teachers’ welfare, working conditions and professional status.
Amba, represented by the National Deputy President, Kizito Kalu, said teachers were critical agents of social and economic development and should be given the support needed to perform their duties effectively.
He called for the implementation of the special salary scale for teachers approved in 2022, saying it would improve their morale and dignity.
“We call for the implementation of the special salary scale for teachers approved in 2022, which will improve their morale and restore dignity to the teaching profession,” he said.
The NUT president also called for the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers, continuous professional development, improved teaching resources and stronger security for teachers and pupils.
He also raised concerns over the concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA), describing it as a threat to public education, teachers’ employment security and professional rights.
“While recognising the contributions of old students, the NUT strongly opposes transferring the management of King’s College, Lagos, to a private association,” Amba said.
In his remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Abel Enitan, said teachers remained central to the development of Nigeria’s human capital and the effectiveness of public institutions.
“Every profession and institution depends, directly or indirectly, on the quality of education provided by teachers,” Enitan said.
He said the Federal Government was strengthening teacher professionalisation through an accelerated pathway towards qualified, certified and licensed teaching.
He said that the harmonised retirement age for teachers act had been implemented, while the process of recruiting and permanently absorbing more than 3,035 Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers was nearing completion.
Enitan also highlighted the Federal Ministry of Education’s e-Learn platform, saying it was providing curriculum-aligned resources to support teachers in classroom instruction.
He urged teachers to uphold professionalism, integrity and dedication to duty, while calling on stakeholders to continue supporting the profession.
“Investing in teachers is investing in Nigeria’s future,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State received the Most Outstanding Governor in Contribution to Education award, while Mrs Mary Adebayo won a car prize as Best Teacher of the Year.
Nasarawa State emerged first in the Teachers’ Day march-past, while other outstanding teachers also received various prizes.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
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