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Introduction: NLC Demands Better Pay and Respect for Nigerian Teachers
In a strong statement that resonated across the education sector, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government (FG) to increase teachers’ salaries and improve their welfare. This call came during the celebration of World Teachers’ Day 2025, themed “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse the Teacher Shortage.”
The NLC, led by its President Comrade Joe Ajaero, emphasized that teachers are the foundation of national development, yet they remain among the most undervalued professionals in Nigeria. Ajaero criticized the government for what he described as persistent neglect of teachers’ welfare, which has led to low morale, brain drain, and poor educational outcomes.
This renewed demand for fair compensation and better conditions has sparked nationwide discussions about education reform, funding priorities, and the role of teachers in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Background: The NLC’s Call on World Teachers’ Day 2025
Every October 5, the world celebrates World Teachers’ Day to honor the vital contributions of teachers to education and society. This year, the event in Nigeria carried a deeper meaning as it coincided with a period of economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and worsening living conditions for workers across all sectors.
The NLC President, speaking during the celebration, said:
“Teachers should not just be celebrated with words, but with real actions that reflect value for their work. A teacher who is underpaid, underappreciated, and overworked cannot give their best to our children.”
He went on to highlight that many Nigerian teachers earn below a living wage, while working in poorly equipped schools with overcrowded classrooms and outdated teaching tools. The NLC warned that this situation, if not urgently addressed, could further deepen Nigeria’s education crisis.
Key Demands of the NLC to the Federal Government
The NLC’s message to the Federal Government is clear: If Nigeria truly values education, it must start by valuing its teachers.
Here are the major points of the NLC’s demand:
1. Increase Teachers’ Salaries Nationwide
The Congress called on the government to immediately review and increase teacher salaries across all levels — primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions. Teachers, the NLC argues, should earn wages that reflect the importance of their profession, not mere survival stipends.
The NLC stressed that current teacher pay is insufficient to meet basic living expenses, especially amid inflation, rising food prices, and housing costs. Ajaero reminded policymakers that when teachers are demoralized, the entire nation suffers.
2. Improve Working Conditions in Public and Private Schools
Beyond salary, the NLC urged the government to improve the physical and professional environments in which teachers work. Many public schools lack electricity, internet access, clean water, and basic teaching materials. Teachers in rural areas often work under harsh, unsafe, or degrading conditions.
In private schools, many teachers are overworked and underpaid, with no health insurance, pension, or job security. The NLC demanded that the Ministries of Labour and Education enforce labour laws to protect the rights of teachers in both public and private sectors.
3. Implement UNESCO’s Funding Benchmark for Education
Nigeria currently allocates less than 6% of its GDP and below 10% of its annual budget to education — far below UNESCO’s recommended 20% of national budget or 6% of GDP.
The NLC insists that without proper investment, the education system will continue to collapse. It urged the Tinubu administration to raise education funding and ensure that a significant portion goes directly to teacher salaries, training, and infrastructure.
4. Professionalize the Teaching Career
The Congress also advocated for training and retraining programs to enhance teachers’ capacity. It called for clear career progression pathways, better certification systems, and continuous professional development (CPD) for both new and experienced teachers.
5. Protect Teachers’ Rights to Unionize and Collective Bargaining
The NLC condemned cases where teachers in private institutions are denied the right to join unions. It reminded the Federal Government that the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98 guarantee workers the right to unionize and negotiate collectively.
The Plight of Nigerian Teachers: Facts and Realities
To understand why the NLC’s demand is crucial, one must look at the realities Nigerian teachers face daily:
| Category | Situation in Nigeria (2025) |
|---|---|
| Average monthly salary (public school) | ₦35,000 – ₦70,000 (primary/secondary level) |
| Average salary (private school) | ₦20,000 – ₦50,000, often without benefits |
| Infrastructure | Many classrooms overcrowded, with over 80 pupils per teacher |
| Teacher-Student Ratio | 1:60 on average, higher in rural areas |
| Training opportunities | Irregular and poorly funded |
| Welfare benefits | Minimal or absent for most teachers |
| Brain drain trend | Thousands leaving for better pay abroad or changing professions |
These figures reveal that teaching has become one of the least attractive professions in Nigeria — a dangerous trend for a country that depends on education to drive development.
Why Teacher Welfare Matters for Nigeria’s Future
Teacher welfare isn’t just an employment issue — it’s a national development concern. When teachers are treated well, the entire education ecosystem benefits.
1. Quality Education Depends on Teacher Motivation
Motivated teachers are creative, committed, and effective. Conversely, underpaid and undervalued teachers lose morale, which reflects in student performance.
2. Preventing Brain Drain and Teacher Shortages
Nigeria is already losing talented educators to countries like the UK, Canada, and the UAE, where teachers are better paid and respected. If nothing changes, the teacher shortage crisis will worsen.
3. Economic Growth and Human Capital Development
No country can grow beyond its education system. Teachers produce the engineers, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of tomorrow. Investing in teacher welfare is investing in human capital and economic prosperity.
4. Improved Learning Outcomes for Students
A well-paid, well-trained teacher produces better students. Studies globally show a direct correlation between teacher welfare and student achievement.
5. Social Stability and Equity
Teachers play a crucial role in shaping moral values, discipline, and civic consciousness. Ignoring their welfare undermines social cohesion and nation-building.
NLC’s Call Reflects a Broader Global Concern
The NLC’s appeal aligns with global discussions on teacher shortages. According to UNESCO, the world needs 69 million new teachers by 2030 to meet education targets.
In Nigeria, over 200,000 teaching positions remain vacant, especially in rural communities. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) reports that many states are struggling to recruit qualified teachers due to low pay and unattractive incentives.
Thus, the NLC’s position isn’t just a local demand — it’s part of a global movement to reverse the teacher shortage and restore respect to the teaching profession.
Government Response and the Way Forward
As of October 2025, the Federal Government has acknowledged NLC’s concerns but has yet to announce a comprehensive plan for teacher salary review.
However, the Minister of Education and Minister of Labour and Employment have both expressed readiness to engage with stakeholders to improve teacher welfare. There are indications that the government may consider salary harmonization, training programs, and infrastructure investments under the upcoming education sector reform agenda.
What the Government Must Do:
- Review Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS) to reflect inflation and economic realities.
- Increase education funding to meet or exceed UNESCO benchmarks.
- Introduce rural teacher incentives, including housing and transportation allowances.
- Provide healthcare, pensions, and insurance for all teachers.
- Invest in teacher training and digital education tools.
- Enforce labour laws protecting teachers in private schools.
- Engage with NUT and NLC to ensure inclusive policy design.
If these steps are implemented, Nigeria’s education system could regain global respect and produce a generation of well-trained, motivated educators.
Private School Teachers: The Silent Victims
One area where the NLC placed significant emphasis is the exploitation of private school teachers. Many of them:
- Work for long hours without contracts,
- Are underpaid and overworked,
- Have no access to pensions, health benefits, or unions, and
- Face threats of termination for speaking up.
The NLC warned that private school teachers must not be left behind in the struggle for justice. The government was urged to regulate the private education sector to ensure compliance with labour standards and fair wages.
Teachers as Nation Builders
Throughout history, every developed nation has valued teachers as the cornerstone of progress. From Japan to Finland, Singapore to Canada, teacher welfare is seen as a strategic investment, not a cost.
In Nigeria, however, the reverse has been true. Teachers are praised publicly but ignored in policy and budget. The NLC’s call is therefore not just about pay; it’s about rebuilding national priorities — recognizing that no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.
Consequences of Ignoring the NLC’s Call
If the Federal Government fails to act, the long-term consequences will be severe:
- Increased teacher exodus to foreign countries.
- Decline in education quality and global competitiveness.
- Growing inequality between urban and rural schools.
- Collapse of public education, pushing more children into low-quality private schools.
- National security risk, as uneducated youth become vulnerable to crime and extremism.
The NLC’s warning is therefore both economic and existential: neglect teachers, and you neglect the nation.
Public Reaction: Support Grows for Teachers
The NLC’s statement has gained massive support from:
- Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)
- Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
- Parents and student associations
- Civil society organizations
Social media campaigns under hashtags like #PayTeachersMore, #SupportEducation, and #TeacherWelfareNow have trended nationwide, amplifying the message that teachers deserve better.
Conclusion: Pay Teachers What They Deserve, Build the Future Nigeria Needs
The Nigeria Labour Congress has once again reminded the government and citizens alike that teachers are the architects of national development. Their welfare determines the future of Nigeria’s education, economy, and society.
Increasing teachers’ salaries, ensuring proper working conditions, and upholding labour rights are not optional luxuries — they are essential for progress.
As the NLC rightly stated, “We must go beyond celebrating teachers in words; we must value them in deeds.”
If Nigeria wants a brighter, more innovative future, it must start by paying teachers more — and treating them with the dignity they deserve.
