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The leading labor union in Nigeria has called on the government to increase funding for education and enhance the conditions of teachers, cautioning that failure to support the profession endangers the nation’s future.

The head of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, stated that educators are still underpaid and not given the recognition they deserve, even though they play a vital role in shaping the country. During World Teachers’ Day events in Abuja, he referred to teaching as the most prestigious of all careers but noted that it still faces issues such as low salaries, insufficient working environments, and a lack of appreciation.

“The contradiction is clear: although society praises teachers, they are the most overlooked and under-resourced profession. Teachers are celebrated in words but neglected in reality,” Ajaero stated in a release.

He called on the Federal Government to adhere to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation standard, which suggests that a minimum of six percent of a nation’s Gross Domestic Product and 20 percent of public spending should be directed towards education.

He stated that Nigeria’s present level of investment is significantly lower than this, leading to a lack of trained teachers and increasing the student-to-teacher ratio.

The labor leader also condemned the extensive mistreatment of teachers in private schools, stating that many are deprived of fundamental rights, social security, and reasonable pay.

He insisted that the Minister of Labour and Employment, together with the Minister of Education, implement firm measures to guarantee that private school educators have the right to establish and participate in unions, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution and the International Labour Organisation’s conventions 87 and 98.

Ajaero also cautioned that without strong investment in the well-being of teachers, Nigeria faced the possibility of an increased loss of skilled educators from the education sector, as teachers seek better prospects overseas or in different fields.

“You can’t offer something you don’t possess. Educators who lack proper training, motivation, and support cannot be expected to provide high-quality education. If we keep going this way, the future of our children and the nation itself is in danger,” he warned.

The head of the NLC emphasized the importance of establishing a national system to educate underqualified instructors, enhance ongoing training, and tackle the excessive student-to-teacher ratio that, in numerous schools, exceeds international benchmarks.

The 2025 World Teachers’ Day was celebrated with the global theme ‘The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse Teacher Shortages,’ a topic that was especially significant for Nigeria, where the shortage of teachers is severe and concerning.

He called on the government at every level to show determination by making teachers’ well-being a key focus in the effort to reform the education system.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).