World Teachers’ Day: Unions push for better welfare, retirement package

Teachers across Nigeria have renewed calls for improved welfare, better working conditions, and the full implementation of the 65-year retirement age policy as the nation joined the rest of the world to mark the 2025 World Teachers’ Day.

At various events held nationwide, teachers’ unions and education stakeholders decried the slow pace of policy implementation, poor remuneration, and inadequate teaching facilities, which they said continued to undermine the quality of education.

They urged federal and state governments to prioritise teachers’ welfare and ensure that promises made to the education sector are fulfilled.

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated worldwide on October 5 every year.

As Nigerian teachers marked the day on Sunday, data received from the National Union of Teachers revealed that 16 states of the federation were yet to implement the 65-year retirement age after it was signed into law.

The 65-year retirement age for teachers was signed into law by the late President Muhammadu Buhari on April 8, 2022, as part of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.

Section 1 of the Act clearly states that “Teachers in Nigeria shall compulsorily retire on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.”

While the provision of Section 3 of the Act provides that the Public Service Rule or any legislation that requires a person to retire from the Public Service at 60 years of age or after 35 years of Service shall not apply to teachers in Nigeria.

Apart from increasing the retirement age and years of service, the bill also introduced bursary awards, special rural posting allowances, and other items that will encourage brilliant Nigerians to take up teaching.

However, the Ministry of Education said the new retirement age and years of service would not be automatic, as teachers would demonstrate fitness before benefiting from the scheme.

According to the data from the NUT, the affected states are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, and Sokoto states.

Speaking at the celebration held at the union’s main conference hall, Asa Dam Road, Ilorin, the Kwara State NUT chairman, Comrade Yusuf Agboola, lamented that the government had not keyed into the 65-year retirement policy.

“The government has not keyed into the 65/40 years national harmonised retirement age for teachers, and rural allowances for those teaching in remote areas remain outstanding,” he said.

Agboola called on the government to address outstanding welfare issues affecting public school teachers in the state, adding that the future of education in the state would remain uncertain if teachers were not properly motivated and supported.

He, however, commended the government for the regular payment of salaries, the financial backing of the 2023 and 2024 promotions of TESCOM teachers, and the recruitment of over 3,000 teachers across basic and senior secondary schools.

Teachers in Oyo State, however, commended the government for prompt payment of their salaries, recruitment of new teachers, career progression of teachers, promotion of primary school teachers to salary grade level 16, and the appointment of a teacher as the Executive Chairperson of the Oyo State Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission.

Speaking at this year’s celebration in Ibadan, the NUT Chairman, Comrade Raji Ismail, said Governor Seyi Makinde’s magnanimity culminated in the array of achievements recorded by his administration at NUT.

He applauded the evacuation of the six-year promotion waiting period for primary school teachers, and asked the government to look into “inadequate funding of education, infrastructural deficits, and the need for continuous capacity development of teachers.”

NUT demands investment

In a goodwill message read in states across the country, the NUT National President, Comrade Audu Amba, called on governments to adequately fund public education and invest in teachers.

“Without deliberate investment in teachers, the future of education is at risk.

“Governments must increase budgetary allocation to education and create a conducive learning atmosphere to ensure quality outcomes,” he said.

Amba lauded teachers nationwide, saying, “Comrades, I commend your courage, resilience, and patriotism in discharging your duties. Be assured that your success is our priority. We will continue to demand that teachers are accorded their rightful status and pride of place in society,” he added.

The Sokoto NUT chairman, Comrade Murtala Mohammed, commended teachers across the state for their resilience, dedication, and commitment to nurturing future leaders, despite challenges confronting the education sector.

Speaking in Sokoto on Sunday, Mohammed urged teachers to remain steadfast and united in their calling, stressing that cooperation and collective effort are key to achieving academic excellence in the state.

While acknowledging the support of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration, the NUT chairman lauded the recent implementation of teachers’ promotions and the significant increase in their minimum wage from N18,000 to N70,000.

He described the development as a morale booster for educators across the state.

Govs laud teachers

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, hailed teachers in the state for their dedication, resilience, and invaluable contributions to the development of the state and humanity at large.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo described teachers as nation builders, mentors, and the architects of the country’s future.

He noted that their tireless efforts and commitment to moulding the next generation of leaders, innovators, and productive citizens were truly commendable.

He promised not only to implement policies that would improve their working conditions but also to enhance their capacity through continuous training and access to modern teaching tools.

He added, “To every teacher in our primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, your impact is immeasurable. The foundation you lay in the lives of our children is what determines the trajectory of our state. I urge you to remain steadfast and committed to upholding the high standards of your profession.”

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, hailed the invaluable contributions of teachers to nation-building and human capital development, describing the teaching profession as noble and the foundation of all other professions.

He promised to continue to support them with the tools, amenities, and conducive environment they needed to thrive as they double up on their efforts to secure the future of the children in the state.

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing education reform and improving teachers’ welfare in the state.

In a goodwill message to commemorate the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, Radda described teachers as the cornerstone of educational development and nation-building, whose dedication and sacrifices continued to shape the future of Katsina State and Nigeria at large.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting collaborative teaching approaches through continuous professional development, modern infrastructure, digital learning tools, and platforms that encouraged peer learning and knowledge sharing among teachers and commended Katsina teachers for their resilience, professionalism, and dedication, particularly in navigating the challenges of modern education while maintaining high standards of excellence.

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State saluted teachers for their invaluable contributions to national development, describing them as the cornerstone of a forward-looking education system.

In a goodwill message signed by Director General, Press Affairs, Ismaila Misilli, the governor said the celebration provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of shared purpose and innovation in transforming education for a better future.

He described teachers as not only transmitters of knowledge, but partners in shaping the minds, values, and aspirations of young people.

Yahaya reaffirmed that his administration had continued to invest in programmes, including capacity-building ones to enhance skills, improve school infrastructure, teacher recruitment to strengthen the workforce, and regular engagement with education stakeholders to ensure participatory decision-making.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, assured teachers in the state of his administration’s commitment to making their welfare and needs a top priority.

Oyebanji, in his address during the celebration in Ado Ekiti, assured that he would approve the upward review of allowance for science teachers in the week, consequent upon the review which had been carried out by the Head of Service.

Responding to the requests by the NUT chairman, Egbeyemi Adedeji, on outstanding leave bonuses and other sundry issues, the governor said, “2019 (leave bonus for secondary school teachers) was paid on Saturday, and you will start receiving the alert as from Monday.

“Let me be explicit on the issue of leave bonus. I am assuring you that we will try as much as possible to ensure that we pay all outstanding leave bonuses as soon as practicable.”

Speaking on the mandatory age for retirement, Oyebanji said, “This has been approved and recommended, but for able and willing teachers.

“So, at the mandatory age, your request has been approved for teachers who want to extend. If there is any teacher who wants to leave, you are free to leave.”

The governor splashed mouth-watering cash rewards on outstanding teachers under various categories in the public primary schools, public secondary schools, private primary schools, and private secondary schools.

Speaking on behalf of the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the government was already working to ensure teachers’ welfare was fully protected.

The commissioner, represented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Desk Officer at the ministry, Taye Odedeji, said the administration placed education and teachers’ welfare at the centre of its policies as it took steps in regular salary payments, recruitment of thousands of teachers, and promotions across the sector.

He assured the teachers that the government would not ignore their calls on allowances and retirement age.

“The government is studying the issues raised by NUT, including allowances and retirement age. I want to assure our teachers that these matters are not being ignored. Our goal is to build a motivated workforce that will deliver the quality education Kwara deserves,” he said.

The Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Adeniran, said that approval for 2023/2024 promotion letters had been received from the Civil Service Commission for primary school teachers.

He assured that soon, the promotion letters would be released to teachers, adding that the pending issue of inter-zonal transfer of 2005 teachers back to LGUBEs of their choice had also been approved by the governor.

Proprietors decry taxation

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Ogbomoso North Chapter, Oyo State, called on the government at all levels to address critical challenges facing private school owners and teachers across the country, especially in the areas of taxation, welfare, and access to financial support.

In a statement released by its Chairman, Wale Ojewumi, in Ibadan, the state capital, the association said teachers’ contributions to national development deserved greater recognition and support.

“We’re not competing with the public sector; rather, we are working hand-in-hand with it to ensure that quality education is available to all, especially in areas where public resources are stretched thin,” he said.

The chairman lamented that private school proprietors were burdened by what he described as an automatic 25 per cent annual increase in personal income tax, which he said negatively impacted their ability to reinvest in staff and infrastructure.

He, therefore, urged the government to review the policy and make it more reflective of the realities faced by school owners.

Don seeks improved welfare

A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr Vincent Paul, called on governments to work towards improving the working conditions of teachers.

In a press statement made available to journalists in the Keffi Local Government Area of the state on Sunday, Dr Paul said, despite the limited recognition and inadequate working conditions, particularly the lack of private office spaces for many teachers in primary and secondary schools, they had remained steadfast in their duties.

“As we commemorate this remarkable day, we salute teachers everywhere for their sacrifices, passion for nurturing minds, and unwavering commitment to building a brighter and more inclusive future,” he said.

The don paid a visit to his primary school teacher, now retired, Mrs Augustina Abraham, in the Keffi LGA of the state, where he commended her for the invaluable contributions she had made to his life and his learning journey.

Source: Punch