Nigerian teachers are facing severe challenges in carrying out their duties due to poor welfare, inadequate salaries, and rising living costs, according to the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC). The council made this statement ahead of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, highlighting the worsening conditions under which educators operate across the country. Kola Ologbondiyan, Director of Media and Publicity for the ADC-PCC, emphasized that teachers remain the backbone of national development despite years of neglect and hardship.
Ologbondiyan described Nigerian teachers as true heroes who continue to shape the future of the nation by moulding young minds and sustaining the education system. He pointed out that many educators are struggling with irregular and insufficient salaries, making it difficult to meet basic needs such as food, transportation, healthcare, and housing. “How can a teacher teach effectively on an empty stomach?” he asked, underscoring the direct link between economic hardship and educational performance.
The ADC-PCC also noted that the removal of the petroleum subsidy has further exacerbated the cost of living crisis, leaving teachers without adequate support to cope. High transport fares, lack of medical insurance, and unaffordable accommodation are placing immense pressure on the teaching profession. These issues, combined with deteriorating school infrastructure and limited access to professional training, have created a challenging environment for educators nationwide.
The council accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of devaluing the teaching profession through poor remuneration policies. It cited repeated industrial actions by tertiary education workers as evidence of widespread dissatisfaction over welfare and working conditions. Despite these difficulties, teachers have continued to perform their duties, demonstrating resilience and dedication to Nigeria’s future.
Ologbondiyan stressed that if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is elected president in 2027, the ADC administration will prioritize education and teachers’ welfare. Proposed reforms include improved wages and allowances, comprehensive health insurance, affordable housing schemes, enhanced professional development opportunities, and better-equipped learning facilities. These measures aim to restore dignity to the teaching profession and ensure that educators can focus on delivering quality education.
The ADC-PCC’s message comes at a time when Nigeria’s education sector faces mounting pressures from economic instability and policy gaps. As the nation prepares for the next general elections, the call for investment in teachers reflects growing public concern about the state of education and its long-term impact on national progress.
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