The National Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Chapter, has called for stronger government investment in education, improved welfare for teachers and enhanced security in schools, warning that the future development of Nigeria depends largely on the quality of its teachers and the protection of children.
The State Secretary of the NUT, Lagos State Chapter, Comrade Ayetoba Gbenga, made the call while speaking on Trade FM’s Business of Learning, where he examined the state of the teaching profession, challenges facing teachers and the changing role of technology in education.
Ayetoba said although the teaching profession has made significant progress over the years, teachers in Nigeria are still not receiving the level of recognition and value they deserve.
He explained that the profession has come a long way from the period when teaching was largely controlled by missionaries and teachers were not formally recognised as public servants.
According to him, teachers were historically supported through contributions and gifts brought by worshippers to missionary churches, including agricultural produce and other items, which were shared with teachers as a means of sustenance.
He noted that the formation of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in 1931 marked an important turning point in the history of the profession, as the union began pushing for teachers to be absorbed into the public service and receive salaries from government.
Ayetoba said the struggle eventually yielded results, with teachers becoming part of the public service and receiving salaries like other government workers.
He, however, stressed that while significant progress has been made, society still does not place sufficient value on the teaching profession.
«“We may not have gotten to the Promised Land, but obviously we have left Egypt,” he said, stressing that the profession is no longer where it was decades ago, even though several challenges remain unresolved.»
Teachers’ welfare remains a major concern
The NUT official identified poor welfare as one of the major challenges confronting teachers in Nigeria.
He said the union has consistently engaged government and advocated better conditions of service, stressing that teachers must be adequately supported if the country is serious about achieving meaningful development.
According to him, no nation can develop beyond the quality of its teachers, making education and the welfare of those responsible for delivering it critical to national development.
Ayetoba also called for increased funding for the education sector, noting that Nigeria’s allocation to education remains below the benchmark he referenced from UNESCO.
He argued that inadequate funding affects not only teachers but also infrastructure, learning conditions and the overall quality of education available to Nigerian children.
Insecurity threatens teachers and students
Beyond welfare and remuneration, Ayetoba described insecurity as another major challenge confronting the teaching profession.
He said teachers should be able to go to school with confidence that they would return safely, but insecurity and terrorism have created fear among educators in some parts of the country.
He noted that some teachers have been caught up in incidents of abduction and insecurity, with some still being held in captivity in certain states.
Ayetoba said the issue of security must therefore be treated as a priority alongside discussions about teachers’ salaries and working conditions.
He stressed that improvements in teachers’ welfare would mean little if teachers and students cannot safely access schools.
He also welcomed the release of abducted teachers in Oyo State, describing such developments as a relief while calling for stronger measures to prevent future incidents.
AI is a tool, not a replacement for teachers
Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence in education, the NUT official dismissed concerns that AI would replace classroom teachers.
According to him, artificial intelligence should be regarded as a tool that can complement the work of teachers rather than threaten their profession.
He urged teachers to embrace technology and improve their digital skills, warning that educators who refuse to adapt to technological developments could eventually find themselves at a disadvantage.
«“Artificial intelligence can never replace the place of teachers,” Ayetoba said, adding that teachers and AI have different but complementary roles in the education system.»
He encouraged teachers to use AI to improve their knowledge, teaching methods and professional capacity as education continues to evolve in response to technological advancement.
Teachers carrying multiple responsibilities
The NUT Lagos State secretary also highlighted the often-overlooked emotional and psychological demands placed on teachers.
He said teachers do much more than deliver academic lessons, noting that they are frequently required to perform roles traditionally associated with parents, guardians, counsellors and, in some circumstances, healthcare providers.
According to him, teachers must deal with students with different learning abilities, identify fast and slow learners and develop approaches that ensure that every child is carried along.
He said these responsibilities can place considerable emotional pressure on teachers, particularly when adequate support is not provided by government and parents.
Ayetoba therefore called for better working conditions that would enable teachers to remain emotionally balanced and perform their duties professionally.
Parents urged to support teachers
The NUT official also appealed to parents to play a more active role in their children’s education and discipline.
He expressed concern that some parents do not adequately complement the efforts of teachers, particularly when it comes to correcting inappropriate behaviour among students.
According to him, some teachers have faced confrontations from parents when attempting to discipline or guide students, with cases where teachers have allegedly been physically attacked.
He said parents must understand that the responsibility of raising responsible children cannot be left entirely to schools and teachers.
Ayetoba called for greater cooperation between parents, teachers and government, saying each stakeholder has a role to play in creating a productive and safe educational environment.
‘Investing in teachers is investing in Nigeria’s future’
As Nigeria marked World Teachers’ Day, Ayetoba’s message was that the recognition of teachers must go beyond annual celebrations.
He called for concrete measures to improve teachers’ welfare, strengthen education funding, enhance security in schools and prepare educators for the growing influence of technology.
He maintained that protecting children and investing in teachers are essential to securing Nigeria’s future.
The interview on Trade FM’s Business of Learning concluded with a reminder that while technology will continue to transform education, teachers remain central to the learning process.
SOURCE: By Trade FM News
