As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Teachers’ Day, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a strong call to the Federal Government to radically improve funding for education and enhance the welfare of teachers, warning that continued neglect of educators threatens the nation’s future.

Speaking at a national event in Abuja to commemorate the day, NLC President Joe Ajaero described teachers as the “queens of all professions,” lamenting that despite their critical role in shaping future generations, they remain underpaid, undervalued, and largely ignored in national policymaking.

“Teachers are praised to heaven but starved on earth,” Ajaero stated, adding that the country must begin to back its praise of teachers with tangible support.

Underfunding and Its Consequences

Ajaero criticized Nigeria’s failure to meet the UNESCO-recommended funding benchmarks—at least 6% of GDP and 20% of national expenditure allocated to education. He noted that the country’s current investment falls dangerously short, contributing to:

* Worsening teacher shortages

* Overcrowded and under-resourced classrooms

* Deteriorating learning outcomes

* Low morale among educators

“Our education system is underfunded, and this neglect reflects in the poor conditions of service for teachers, lack of teaching aids, and the declining morale among educators,” he said.

Private School Teachers “Worst Exploited”

The NLC President also spotlighted the dire conditions faced by teachers in private schools, many of whom, he said, are:

* Underpaid

* Overworked

* Deprived of social protection, pensions, and the right to unionize

Ajaero called on the Ministers of Labour and Education to uphold Nigerian labour laws and ILO conventions by ensuring private school teachers are allowed to join unions and fight for better working conditions.

“Teachers in private schools are some of the most exploited workers in this country,” Ajaero asserted.

“They must be protected by the same laws that protect every other Nigerian worker.”

Brain Drain and the Exodus of Educators

Rising frustration and low remuneration are driving thousands of teachers out of the profession or out of the country, Ajaero warned.

“You cannot give what you do not have. Teachers who are not adequately trained, motivated, and supported cannot be expected to deliver quality education.”

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He stressed the urgent need for a national framework to retrain unqualified teachers, lower the student-teacher ratio in public schools, and institutionalize continuous professional development.

A Call to Action on World Teachers’ Day

This year’s World Teachers’ Day is themed: “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse Teacher Shortages.”

According to Ajaero, the theme resonates deeply with Nigeria’s current crisis, particularly in rural and underserved areas where schools are critically understaffed.

He urged all tiers of government to:

* Prioritize teacher welfare

* Guarantee regular salary payments

* Invest in training and professional support

* Enforce labour laws in both public and private schools

“Investing in teachers is investing in the future,” Ajaero concluded.

“No country can rise above the quality of its teachers.”