The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to significantly increase funding for education and improve the welfare of teachers across the country, warning that continued neglect of the profession poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s future.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made the appeal during the World Teachers’ Day celebration held in Abuja, where he described teachers as the “queens of all professions” who continue to suffer poor pay, inadequate working conditions, and a lack of respect despite their vital role in nation-building.
“The paradox is stark: while society heaps praises on teachers, they remain the most neglected and starved profession,” Ajaero said.
“Teachers are praised to heaven but starved on earth.”
Ajaero urged the Federal Government to meet the UNESCO benchmark that recommends countries allocate at least six per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 20 per cent of public expenditure to education.
He noted that Nigeria’s current investment falls far below this standard, leading to widespread teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and declining education quality.
“Our education system is underfunded, and this neglect reflects in the poor conditions of service for teachers, the lack of teaching aids, and the declining morale among educators,” he said.
News360 Info reports that the NLC President stressed that boosting investment in education is not just about infrastructure, but about human capital development, which begins with properly trained and motivated teachers.
Ajaero also decried the exploitation of teachers in private schools, many of whom, he said, are poorly paid, overworked, and denied fundamental labour rights, such as pensions, social protection, and union representation.
He called on the Minister of Labour and Employment and the Minister of Education to enforce laws guaranteeing private school teachers the right to form and join unions, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
“Teachers in private schools are some of the most exploited workers in this country,” Ajaero said.
“They must be protected by the same laws that protect every other Nigerian worker.”
The labour leader warned that the lack of proper remuneration and professional support is fueling a mass exodus of teachers, as many leave the profession for better-paying jobs abroad or in other industries.
“You cannot give what you do not have. Teachers who are not adequately trained, motivated, and supported cannot be expected to deliver quality education,” Ajaero said.
“If we continue on this path, the future of our children and indeed the country is at stake.”
He called for a national framework to retrain unqualified teachers, promote continuous professional development, and reduce the country’s high pupil-to-teacher ratio, which he said is far above global standards in many public schools.
This year’s World Teachers’ Day was marked under the global theme, “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse Teacher Shortages.”
Ajaero said the theme is particularly relevant for Nigeria, where many schools face acute teacher shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas.
He urged all levels of government to demonstrate political will by prioritising teachers’ welfare, regular training, and timely payment of salaries as part of broader reforms to revive Nigeria’s education system.
“Investing in teachers is investing in the future. No country can rise above the quality of its teachers,” he concluded.
