The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving teachers’ welfare and promoting collaboration as a key strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s education sector.

Education minister Tunji Alausa made the pledge during a news conference and symposium ahead of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day on Monday in Abuja.

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated globally on October 5 every year.

The day promotes the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of Teachers (1966) and the UNESCO Recommendation on Higher Education Teaching Personnel (1997).

The 2025 celebration carries the theme: ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession’.

Mr Alausa described teachers as the nation’s greatest assets, noting they are custodians of knowledge, builders of character, and architects of national development. He acknowledged that teachers had not been adequately rewarded but assured them the federal government was committed to improving their welfare.

Speaking on the theme, Mr Alausa stressed that collaboration among teachers was vital to achieving quality education in today’s fast-changing, knowledge-driven world.

“For too long, teaching has been practised in isolation, with each teacher confined to classrooms, bearing the responsibility alone,” the minister said.

He noted that challenges like technological change, innovative pedagogy, equity gaps, and a knowledge-driven economy could not be solved by individual effort.

“Collaboration among teachers transforms the profession into a dynamic community of practice,” Mr Alausa stated.

He added that collaboration enables teachers to share knowledge, mentor colleagues, and jointly address curriculum challenges to improve delivery.

He restated that students are the ultimate beneficiaries when teachers share experiences, mentor each other, and innovate collectively, leading to richer and more engaging instruction.

Mr Alausa disclosed that the ministry was creating school structures to encourage peer learning, mentorship, and digital platforms that connect teachers across states and regions.

He also commended the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria and other stakeholders for professionalising teaching and raising sector standards.

“Good teachers equal excellent students, and excellent students become productive citizens who compete globally. Nigerian students excel worldwide because of the strong foundations laid by our teachers,” Mr Alausa said.

He urged teachers’ unions, school leaders, parents, communities, development partners, and the private sector to collaborate in strengthening the profession.

(NAN)