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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Teachers in Nigeria have called for urgent, systemic reforms to address the growing manpower crisis in the teaching profession. The teachers made the observations at a press conference in Abuja to herald activities for the “Let There Be Teachers” conference schedule to hold in Abuja later in the year.
Convener of the conference, Oluwaseyi Anifowose, told journalists that the sad realities faced by teachers daily reflect a deeper structural failure that must be urgently addressed.
He said that persistent neglect of teachers ranging from poor welfare to limited professional support continues to undermine the quality of education nationwide, with long-term implications for overall national development. He explained that the conference is a reform-driven initiative aimed at mobilising about 200,000 teachers across the country into a structured professional commitment to improve classroom delivery and accountability.
According to Anifowose, the initiative would focus on strengthening teachers’ capacity while also addressing welfare and wellbeing challenges that affect their performance.
He maintained that a struggling teacher, emotionally and financially, couldn’t build a thriving classroom.
“If we want better outcomes, then we must invest in the teacher, professionally, financially, and personally.
“Somewhere in Nigeria today, a teacher is standing in front of a class doing his or her best with what is available. No cameras, no applause, no recognition, just responsibility. That quiet moment, repeated across thousands of classrooms, is where the future of this nation is being decided, not in policy rooms alone, but in the classrooms.”
Anifowose stressed that while teachers remain central to shaping the country’s future, they continue to operate under pressure, often without the necessary tools and support to deliver effectively.
