NUT: Nigeria short of 194,000 teachers… there’s a need for national recruitment commission
As Nigeria joined the global community to mark the 2025 World Teachers’ Day, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) raised alarm over a severe shortage of qualified teachers across the country, estimating a shortfall of more than 194,876 teachers in public primary and secondary schools.
Speaking at the national commemoration held on Sunday at Eagle Square, Abuja, Titus Amba, NUT president, urged the federal and state governments to establish a National Commission for Teacher Recruitment to bridge the growing manpower gap in the education sector.
Amba, who spoke on this year’s theme, “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession,” said Nigeria’s education system is being undermined by chronic under-staffing, poor welfare conditions, and the failure of some states to implement the newly approved N70,000 national minimum wage.
“Teacher well-being is essential to addressing shortages and achieving quality education for all,” he said.
“We call on all levels of government to ensure adequate recruitment and retention of competent teachers to improve learning outcomes nationwide.”
The NUT leader lamented that despite federal approval of several welfare incentives since 2020, including the 65-year retirement age, 40 years of service, a special salary structure, and bursary awards for education students, most have not been implemented beyond the new retirement policy, which only 22 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) have adopted.
Amba warned that Nigeria’s effort to achieve sustainable development goal 4 (SDG 4), ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, could be derailed if teacher shortages persist.
Citing the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC 2024), he said public primary schools alone face a shortage of nearly 195,000 teachers, with even worse conditions in rural areas.
He also criticized the federal government’s removal of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) from the national budget, urging President Bola Tinubu to restore funding and strengthen the council’s capacity to regulate and professionalize teaching.
The NUT condemned the growing trend of education privatisation, particularly the Edo state government’s handover of public schools to religious missions, describing it as a setback to universal access.
“Any form of education privatization breeds inequality and undermines free, compulsory basic education,” Amba said.
“We urge Edo state to reverse its decision and uphold inclusive, quality education for all children.”
Olatunji Alausa, minister of education, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to improving teacher welfare as part of President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
Alausa said the ministry is implementing the national teacher policy to motivate and empower educators, describing teachers as the foundation of sustainable national development.
“Rewarding teachers is an investment in quality education, student success, and national progress,” he said.
