WTD 2025: Taraba NUT Chairman Urges Government to Prioritise Teachers’ Welfare.
By OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS,
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Taraba State Wing, Comrade Solomon Nathan, has called on the state government to prioritise the welfare of teachers, noting that it is essential for improving the quality of education across the state.
Speaking at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the NUT House in Jalingo, Nathan said creating an enabling environment for teachers to thrive should be a top priority for the government.
He stressed the need for the appointment of qualified teachers as Permanent Secretaries, arguing that teachers possess the capacity and administrative experience to serve at the highest levels of the civil service.
“Teachers, like other civil servants in the state and our colleagues across the country, deserve to rise to Grade Level 17 in recognition of our services and dedication. Government should also address the backlog of unpaid salaries so that teachers can focus on their noble duties without distraction or hardship,” he said.
Nathan also called for the steady recruitment of new teachers to ease the workload of those currently in service and to ensure the delivery of quality education.
Reflecting on the 2025 World Teachers’ Day theme, Together for Teachers, Together for Tomorrow, he said it highlights the urgent need to elevate the teaching profession, empower educators, and acknowledge their central role in shaping the future.
“A nation that neglects its teachers is a nation that starves its own tomorrow. If we aim to build strong institutions, achieve sustainable development, and foster innovation, then we must first invest in those who light the way—our teachers,” he added.
Comrade Nathan used the occasion to commend Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, describing him as a visionary leader and a committed reformer in the education sector.
He praised the governor’s early declaration of a state of emergency on education, saying it reflected a deep understanding of the role of education in driving development.
“Today, we are witnesses to remarkable initiatives—free and compulsory public education, the provision of teaching and learning materials, renovation and construction of schools, payment of examination fees, and the recruitment and training of teachers,” he said.
“These interventions are not only easing the burden on parents but also ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to learn and succeed,” Nathan added.
Also delivering a goodwill message at the event, the National President of NUT, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, represented by Comrade Obaje Onum, urged governments at all levels to adequately fund public education and invest in teachers.
He emphasised the importance of robust welfare packages, regular promotions, timely salary payments, and provision of instructional materials, saying these would not only boost teacher morale but also attract talented individuals into the profession.
