The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has criticised the Federal Government over the continued delay in implementing the special salary structure approved for teachers in basic and secondary schools.
NUT National President, Audu Amba, said the Federal Government approved the special salary scale and other welfare measures for teachers in 2022, but implementation had yet to begin four years later.
Amba made the position known in his address at the union’s 59th National Conference of Delegates in Enugu, where he called for urgent action to improve teachers’ welfare and working conditions.
Union demands implementation
According to the NUT president, teachers deserve remuneration that reflects the importance of their responsibilities as well as prevailing economic realities.
He urged the Federal Government to work with state governments and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the approved incentives and welfare packages are implemented without further delay.
The union has consistently argued that poor remuneration has contributed to declining morale within the teaching profession and made it increasingly difficult to attract and retain qualified teachers.
NUT raises wider education concerns
Beyond the salary issue, Amba identified several challenges affecting Nigeria’s education sector, including shortages of teachers, inadequate instructional materials, decaying infrastructure, insecurity and attacks on schools, underfunding and poor implementation of education policies.
He also expressed concern over the level of government funding for education, noting that allocations by the Federal Government and many state governments remain below internationally recommended benchmarks.
The NUT president maintained that improving teachers’ welfare should be treated as an essential component of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s education system.
Call for better treatment of teachers
The union is also pushing for the implementation of other welfare measures previously announced for teachers, arguing that better remuneration would help restore the attractiveness of the profession and improve productivity.
The demand comes amid broader discussions about public-sector pay and wage structures, with the Federal Government recently directing the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to develop remuneration frameworks that balance decent wages, productivity and fiscal sustainability.
The NUT said sustained investment in teachers and educational infrastructure remains critical to improving learning outcomes and developing the human capital needed for Nigeria’s long-term development.
