The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has renewed its demand for the implementation of the special salary scale approved for teachers.
It says four years after its scheduled commencement, the enhanced remuneration has yet to be implemented.
Its National President, Comrade Titus Amba, made the demand in his address at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration marks 60 years since the adoption of the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
Amba, who was represented by the Deputy National President of the union, Comrade Kizito Kalu, said the special salary scale was approved by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari for teachers in basic and secondary schools, with implementation scheduled to commence in January 2022.
The special salary structure was part of measures introduced by the Buhari administration to improve the welfare and status of teachers and encourage greater commitment to the profession.
Amba, however, said the implementation of the approved salary regime had not commenced, urging the Federal Government to take steps to actualise it.
“We therefore renew our call on the government to set machinery in motion for actualisation of the new salary regime for teachers to boost their morale and enhance their dignity. A motivated teacher is an asset to national development,” he said.
He also called for improved working conditions for teachers, citing overcrowded classrooms, inadequate furniture, insufficient instructional materials, poor infrastructure and lack of access to other essential teaching resources.
The NUT boss urged governments at all levels to increase investment in school infrastructure and provide safe, healthy and conducive teaching and learning environments.
Amba also raised concern over the shortage of teachers across the country, particularly in rural, underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
He called on state governments to recruit sufficient numbers of professionally qualified teachers and provide incentives to encourage them to remain in the profession.
The NUT president further demanded regular training and retraining for teachers, describing continuous professional development as essential to enable teachers to adapt to changing school content and societal expectations.
On the growing use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies in education, the NUT president said technology should empower teachers rather than replace them.
He called for access to appropriate devices, reliable internet connectivity, electricity, digital resources and technical support, as well as comprehensive training in digital pedagogy and the ethical use of AI.
Amba also demanded greater participation of teachers in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies affecting their profession and classroom practice.
The NUT president called for stronger security for teachers and schoolchildren, saying the security challenges confronting schools in parts of the country constituted a serious threat to education.
Amba also drew the attention of the Federal Ministry of Education to the “lingering challenges affecting teachers in unity and command schools.”
He listed the alleged denial of willing teachers the opportunity to join the NUT, stagnation of Education Officers at the directorate cadre for between 12 and 15 years, non-payment of various arrears and promotions, and denial of teachers’ right to unionise by the Ministries of Defence and Police Affairs, as well as the Department of State Services.
The NUT president also opposed the Federal Government’s decision to concede King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys Association under a public-private partnership arrangement.
He said the concession threatened public education, the employment security of teachers, their professional autonomy and workplace rights.
The NUT president called for the reversal of the arrangement and meaningful consultation with teachers, parents and other critical stakeholders.
Amba said education remained a fundamental human right and a core responsibility of government, urging authorities to resolve the issues to sustain industrial peace and ensure quality education.
Amba said the milestone provided an opportunity to reflect on the status of teachers and the extent to which the principles of the 1966 recommendation had been integrated into Nigeria’s education policies. BuyMaps
The NUT president said the union remained committed to protecting the teaching profession, advancing teachers’ status and ensuring that they were adequately supported and professionally equipped.
He urged the government to move from celebrating teachers to implementing policies that would improve their welfare and working conditions.
“Standing with teachers today is ultimately an investment in the quality of education and the future of our beloved nation,” he said.
