Oluwatobi Adu 
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria must move beyond celebrating teachers on World Teachers’ Day and provide sustained professional development, recognition and institutional support throughout the year, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has said.
Alausa made the call on Monday at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day commemoration and President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards ceremony in Abuja.
The event brought together government officials, education stakeholders and outstanding teachers to recognise contributions to teaching and learning across the country.
Alausa said teachers play a critical role in preparing Nigeria’s next generation and should therefore receive sustained support beyond annual ceremonies. “Teachers deserve professional respect, opportunities to develop throughout their careers, appropriate resources, fair recognition and good working conditions that enable them to teach well,” he said.
The minister stressed that improving the teaching profession required continued investment in teachers’ skills, working environments and professional status.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad, called for stronger attention to teacher preparation, professional development and wellbeing.
She said effective teaching required more than academic and professional qualifications, stressing the need to protect teachers’ dignity while creating opportunities for career development. “As we live today, let this celebration carry a commitment to prepare teachers well, listen to them, protect their dignity, recognise their excellence, and give them the opportunity to improve,” she said.
The ministers said the Federal Government would continue to work with state governments, school leaders, professional bodies, organised labour, development partners, communities and parents to strengthen the teaching profession.
The President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards formed part of the event, recognising teachers and schools whose contributions demonstrated professionalism, innovation and commitment to learners.
The officials said sustained support for teachers remained essential to improving learning outcomes and strengthening Nigeria’s education system.
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