I was barely nine years old when I met my first great teacher. I had just changed schools, could barely read or write clearly, and still used a pencil while my peers boasted of their penmanship with a biro. All it took was someone to believe in me, to shape and prepare me. Thank you, Mrs Ifeoma! I spent most of my lunch breaks practising and reading, slowly becoming the decent reader I am today with a neat cursive penmanship to match.
As I write this, I am reminded of a popular debate in primary school: “Teachers are better than Farmers or Doctors.” The truth, however, is that teachers build the foundation of every society. They shape young minds, instil leadership, and prepare young people for life ahead. Yet in Nigeria, their contributions are too often underrecognized. Every 5th of October, UNESCO celebrates World Teachers’ Day, but while we honour their role, it is also important to highlight the realities that make their work undervalued and under-supported.
Across the country, many teachers face conditions that stretch them beyond their limits. In public schools, pupil–teacher ratios often exceed 70:1, with some classrooms accommodating more than 100 students. This makes personalised teaching nearly impossible and reduces learning outcomes. Although Nigeria has around 1.5 million teachers serving in schools nationwide, a large percentage remain unqualified or lack adequate teaching resources. The result is that many teachers work harder than ever, trying to give students the best they can with very little support.
Despite these sacrifices, teachers are poorly compensated and often face irregular pay. The 2025 federal budget revealed a ₦290 billion shortfall in what is required to adequately cover teacher salaries. In many states, teachers experience salary arrears stretching for months, while some private school teachers earn as little as ₦15,000 per month without formal contracts or job security. To survive, more than a third of teachers reported resorting to loans or side jobs to make ends meet. These realities strip dignity from a profession that should be among the most respected in society.
The theme for this year, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” highlights the importance of collaboration as a driver of educational transformation. Yet persistent inequalities in access to continuing professional development prevent many teachers from participating in the kind of collaborative learning that helps them improve their practice and stay motivated. Collaboration is vital at every stage of a teacher’s career, not just among teachers themselves, but with the government, school leadership, civil society, and communities.
Let’s stand together to ensure that every teacher in Nigeria is valued, supported, and empowered because when we invest in teachers, we invest in the future of our nation.
Written by David Equere
Associate, Youth Activators Lab.
