Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Nigerian government to prioritize the welfare of teachers, criticizing the poor working conditions they currently face.
Obi made this call on Saturday, marking World Teachers’ Day, via a post on his official X handle.
Highlighting the critical role teachers play in national development, Obi described teaching as a “unique profession that forms the basis of human development” and emphasized the need for the government to address the “obvious failures” in the education sector.
In his message, Obi stated, “It is a day to celebrate all teachers, especially those in Nigeria, whose dedication and resilience have kept the fires of our education sector burning, even against all odds.
Teachers, at all levels, play very critical roles in society by contributing immeasurably to the intellectual and moral formation of our children.”
Obi further lamented the lack of proper working conditions, particularly for university lecturers.
Referring to a recent report of over 30 lecturers resigning from Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State due to poor pay, he expressed concern over the growing dissatisfaction in the academic sector.
“Sadly, all these obvious failures reflect the general lack of attention to the welfare of teachers in our nation. The lack of attention to their welfare has remained unresolved for far too long,” Obi added.
The former governor stressed that resolving these issues should be an immediate priority.
He also pointed out the global teacher shortage, stating that Africa alone needs 15 million teachers to boost its education systems, with Nigeria facing a shortfall of nearly 200,000 teachers in public primary schools.
“With over 18 million out-of-school children roaming the streets, training and recruiting more teachers has become a matter of severe urgency,” he stated.
Obi concluded by encouraging the government to swiftly address any lingering disputes with teachers, invest in their welfare, and focus on improving their training and development to ensure a high standard of education for Nigerian children.
“A New Nigeria remains possible,” he affirmed, while applauding Nigerian teachers for their resilience and dedication despite the country’s challenging socio-economic conditions.
