ABUJA, Nigeria — The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to name his former teachers and classmates, as he called for urgent measures to improve the welfare and living conditions of Nigerian teachers.
Atiku made the remarks in a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, in commemoration of World Teachers’ Day.
The former Vice President said Nigerian teachers deserved more than words of appreciation, stressing that government policies must translate into better salaries, improved working conditions and relief from the rising cost of living.
“When I hear of a teacher forced to walk miles because transport fares consume so much of their salary, or borrowing food on credit to feed their family before going to teach our children, my heart breaks,” Atiku said.
More Read
He added that no country could achieve sustainable development without investing in the people responsible for educating its future generations.
“No nation can rise above the level of its teachers. I will honour them not only with words, but with policies that improve their welfare and make life more affordable.”
Atiku, who is an educationist and founder of the American University of Nigeria, said his own educational journey had made him appreciate the sacrifices of teachers.
He recalled his early years in Jada, saying he still remembered the teachers who recognized his potential when he was a young orphan.
“Of course, I appreciate Nigerian teachers. I am a product of their work and the education I received in their classrooms. I still remember the names and faces of my early teachers in Jada, who saw potential in a young orphan when few others did,” he said.
The former Vice President subsequently turned his attention to President Tinubu, alleging that the President’s inability to name a teacher or classmate from his school days demonstrated a disconnect from the realities of the classroom.
“It is both revealing and deeply embarrassing that Bola Tinubu cannot name a single teacher who stood before him or a classmate who sat beside him,” Atiku said.
He described teachers as “the architects of every nation’s future,” arguing that their contribution to society should be matched by meaningful government support.
More Read
First Lady Calls for Greater Support
In a separate World Teachers’ Day message, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu also called for greater protection and support for the teaching profession.
She urged policymakers and members of society to prioritise teachers’ welfare, improve their status and create an environment where educators can effectively carry out their responsibilities.
The First Lady’s message comes amid growing concerns over the rising cost of living and the challenges confronting workers across Nigeria.
The competing messages from Atiku and the First Lady have once again placed teachers’ welfare and the state of Nigeria’s education system at the centre of public discourse.
As Nigeria marks World Teachers’ Day, the debate continues over how best to translate public appreciation for teachers into concrete policies that improve their livelihoods and strengthen the country’s education system.
