The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has said that the Federal Government is implementing a deliberate agenda aimed at repositioning the teaching profession across Nigeria.
Speaking during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration organised by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) in Abuja, Alausa emphasised that Nigeria’s strength lies in the quality of its teachers.
He described the year’s celebration theme as both “a tribute and a challenge,” highlighting the crucial role teachers play in national development.
> “Teachers are not just transmitters of knowledge, but custodians of stability and architects of change,” Alausa said. “They remain unsung heroes in our nation’s history, ensuring that our children are equipped to build a more hopeful future.”
According to the minister, the Federal Ministry of Education is working to professionalise, empower, and reward teachers by strengthening the entire teacher development process—from pre-service training to continuous professional development, welfare improvement, and structured career progression.
He added that the government is expanding teacher qualification pathways through the Dual-Mandate initiative in Colleges of Education, which allows the institutions to offer both degrees and NCE programmes.
> “This initiative is designed to transform teacher preparation, ensure competence and confidence, and tackle dwindling enrolment in Colleges of Education,” he noted.
Alausa also said the government has intensified efforts to professionalise the teaching sector through the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), ensuring that every child in Nigeria is taught by a qualified, registered, and supported teacher.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, the newly elected President of COEASU, took his oath of office during the event. He pledged to prioritise members’ welfare and push for the full implementation of the FGN–COEASU 2010 agreement.
In his acceptance speech at the National Commission for Colleges of Education in Abuja, Lawan expressed gratitude to members for their trust, promising to pursue improved funding, infrastructure, and working conditions across Colleges of Education.
“This moment is a defining one, not just for me, but for all academic staff in the College of Education subsector,” Lawan said. “We shall engage relevant agencies to ensure the full implementation of our agreement with the Federal Government and strengthen advocacy for better funding
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.