The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to revitalizing and strengthening the teaching profession in Nigeria through collaboration, innovation, and professional development.
Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, made this known during the Grand Finale of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day Commemoration and the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards, held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on Sunday.
Dr. Alausa, in his keynote address, described teachers as the “bedrock of human capital development and nation-building,” noting that the global celebration—organized in collaboration with UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF, and Education International—recognizes the crucial role of teachers in advancing education for sustainable development.
According to him, this year’s theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s education reform agenda. He emphasized that collaboration among teachers through peer mentoring, joint lesson planning, co-teaching, and digital learning platforms has proven to enhance learning outcomes and improve teachers’ professional fulfillment.
The Minister highlighted several key policy measures designed to strengthen the profession, including the National Teacher Policy, which ensures that teachers are both empowered and motivated to deliver quality education. He also noted that peer support structures have been established nationwide to promote teamwork and shared learning, while the use of ICT is connecting teachers across states and exposing them to global best practices.
Dr. Alausa further explained the distinct but complementary roles of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in advancing teacher development. While the TRCN focuses on licensing, regulation, and compliance with professional standards, the NTI sustains in-service training and continuous professional development at the basic and post-basic levels.
He noted that while teaching has traditionally been viewed as an individual practice, the current education landscape demands greater collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility.
“A collaborative teacher understands that education is not an individual task but a shared responsibility,” the Minister said. “Such a teacher shares knowledge, listens actively, communicates respectfully, and remains committed to lifelong learning for personal growth and the advancement of the profession.”
Dr. Alausa commended all stakeholders — including teacher unions, community leaders, parents, and development partners — for their contributions toward improving the welfare and performance of teachers. He urged continued collaboration to achieve the objectives of the Education for Renewed Hope Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education).
The Minister concluded by celebrating teachers, school leaders, and institutions being honoured for excellence, noting that the nation’s future depends on the strength and collaboration of its teachers.
“When Nigerian teachers collaborate and thrive, our children learn better, our education system grows stronger, and our nation is assured of a brighter future,” he said.
