Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to improving the welfare of teachers in the country. He stated that it was time for teachers to begin reaping the benefits of their services rather than subscribing to the notion that their rewards come later.
Speaking through the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, during a conference organized by the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) as part of the 2024 International Teachers Day celebrations, Mamman emphasized that the ministry’s current policy aims to actualize the government’s vision for the teaching profession.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, also highlighted the importance of elevating the status of the teaching profession to attract the brightest and most passionate individuals.
The event featured the presentation of awards to the best students in colleges of education across Nigeria, with the theme: “Valuing Teachers’ Voices Towards Repositioning Teacher Education in Nigeria.” Notable recipients included Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Abdulmalik Mahmood.
Dr. Sununu announced that in addition to the COEASU awards, the government would also provide scholarships to students. He directed that information about benefiting students be submitted to the Federal Scholarship Board and urged people to view teaching as a profession rather than just an activity. He commended the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and COEASU for their cooperation with the government in repositioning the nation’s tertiary education.
Guest speaker at the event, Prof. Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, a former Executive Secretary of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), called for attractive remuneration packages for teachers and emphasized the need for regular training, workshops, and conferences. He advocated for engaging teachers, unions, and communities in decision-making processes while also calling for investment in modern classrooms, technology, and educational resources.
Prof. Ajiboye recommended increased funding for educational infrastructure and the development of a comprehensive teacher training program, alongside a nationwide teaching recruitment campaign.
Following the presentation of a Legacy Award at the occasion, Arc. Echono expressed his commitment to allocating taxpayer resources effectively for educational growth. He stated, “We feel particularly honored that they have chosen this occasion to recognize us with the Legacy Award and Induction into the Hall of Fame. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, management, and staff, we express our appreciation and renew our commitment to ensuring that taxpayer money is prudently deployed for the development of education in our country.”
Earlier, the President of COEASU, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, announced that the Union had awarded N3.5 million to the six best students, each representing one of the six geopolitical zones in the country. He called on government agencies, private organizations, awardees, and individuals to contribute to these prizes for the students, stating, “Our Union has instituted a scholarship for the best student in the College of Education system in Nigeria through a transparent and objective examination process.”