UN Agencies Urge Greater Investment in Teachers Amid Global Education Crisis
Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The United Nations has called for increased investment in teachers, warning that efforts to improve education outcomes will depend largely on how governments train, support and empower educators.
The call was made on Monday during Nigeria’s 2026 World Teachers’ Day commemoration and President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards ceremony.
A joint message from the heads of UNESCO, the International Labour Organisation, UNICEF and Education International was delivered at the event.
The UN agencies said every learner should have access to a well-prepared, adequately supported and empowered teacher. “Every learner deserves a teacher who is well prepared, well supported, and empowered to thrive in the profession,” the message stated.
They noted that 60 years after UNESCO and the ILO adopted the Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, its core principles remained relevant.
These include quality teacher education, continuous professional development and safe and supportive working environments.
According to the agencies, the world is expected to require about 50 million additional teachers by 2030.
Of that figure, about 44 million would be needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education, while another six million would be required for pre-primary education.
The UN agencies said recruiting new teachers must be accompanied by efforts to retain experienced educators and establish sustainable career pathways.
They also called for greater opportunities for women to take up leadership positions within the education sector.
The agencies urged governments to recognise teachers as key actors in shaping education systems as schools respond to artificial intelligence, climate change, conflict, displacement and inequality.
They also called for greater trust in teachers’ professional judgement and stronger collaboration among governments, teacher organisations, education institutions, communities and development partners.
The organisations said stronger support for teachers would be essential to building inclusive, peaceful and sustainable societies.
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Korede Abdullah 
