The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently prioritise the welfare and status of Nigerian teachers. According to the NUT, this is necessary to make the teaching profession attractive to future generations and improve the overall quality of education in the country.
Teachers Deserve National Recognition and Respect
Speaking in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Comrade Audu Amba, National President of the NUT, stressed that teaching should be treated as a pillar of societal advancement and not as a profession of last resort.
> “Teaching must be recognised and valued like medicine, law, and engineering,” he said.
Amba criticised the current state of the profession, where teaching is often considered a “Hobson’s choice”—a last option for students who fail to meet the requirements of other professions.
Low Interest in Teaching Linked to UTME Scores
Amba pointed out that many students who end up studying education do so reluctantly. This usually happens when their scores fall below the cut-off marks for their first and second-choice courses in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
> “Those who want to study medicine aim for 300+ in UTME. But when they don’t meet that, they are pushed into education,” Amba said.
He questioned the logic behind this, stating that teachers are responsible for training future doctors and professionals and should therefore be among the most intelligent and competent individuals in society.
Learning from Finland’s Success
Amba urged the Nigerian government to emulate countries like Finland, where teaching is one of the most respected and well-paid professions. Teachers in Finland enjoy high autonomy, job stability, and professional growth—factors that encourage excellence and attract top talent.
> “If you go to Finland today, you’ll be proud to be a teacher,” Amba added. “In Nigeria, however, parents and students alike shy away from teaching.”
Changing the Narrative Around Teaching
To address the crisis in teacher motivation and status, Amba recommended deliberate policy actions. These include offering competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and changing the public narrative about the teaching profession.
“Let’s make the best candidates our teachers,” he said. “Only then can Nigeria secure its educational future.”