As Nigerian teachers celebrate International Teachers’ Day today, it is a fitting time to spotlight the challenges they face, particularly concerning their low wages and strenuous working conditions. Despite being at the forefront of educating future generations, many teachers across Nigeria struggle to make ends meet.
The recent rise in inflation has exacerbated this problem, making it even more difficult for educators to survive on their meager salaries. The fact that teachers are grossly underpaid while contributing so significantly to society presents a stark irony that warrants urgent attention.
In response to the rising cost of living, the Federal Government of Nigeria recently increased the minimum wage to ₦70,000 from the previous ₦30,000. However, many teachers, particularly those in private schools, continue to earn between ₦25,000 and ₦40,000 per month—far below the new minimum wage threshold. Despite this pay gap, these educators work tirelessly, often taking on a myriad of responsibilities that go far beyond classroom instruction.
The Minimum Wage Act, intended to ensure fair compensation for all workers, has been largely ineffective in protecting teachers. The law is poorly enforced in many parts of the country, particularly in private institutions, where proprietors frequently exploit teachers by offering wages far below the legal requirement.
Teachers in these schools are expected to perform just as many, if not more, duties as their counterparts in government schools, yet they are compensated at a fraction of the rate. This issue persists despite the pivotal role teachers play in society as nation-builders.
Beyond the issue of underpayment, teachers are subjected to poor working conditions. Their workload is immense—arriving at school early, staying late, and often taking work home to prepare lessons and grade assignments. Teachers are also tasked with handling extracurricular activities, supervising students during recess, and attending meetings.
These additional responsibilities are often uncompensated, despite the long hours and dedication required. Over time, this workload leads to physical and mental exhaustion, with little relief in sight.
Public school teachers, though slightly better compensated than those in private schools, also face numerous challenges. In these schools, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate teaching materials, and poorly maintained facilities are the norm.
Teachers are often expected to teach large numbers of students at once, sometimes without the necessary resources to facilitate learning. This lack of support puts undue pressure on teachers, who are left to improvise with limited tools while still striving to meet educational goals.
The economic difficulties facing Nigerian teachers are further compounded by inflation. The cost of living has risen sharply in recent years, with the prices of basic necessities such as food, fuel, and housing skyrocketing. For many teachers, their wages simply do not stretch far enough to cover these essential expenses.
The gap between their earnings and their living costs continues to widen, forcing many educators into a state of financial distress. In extreme cases, some teachers are unable to afford rent or transportation to their schools, let alone save for future needs.
Despite their critical role in shaping the next generation, most teachers in Nigeria do not enjoy the financial security that other professionals might expect. Car ownership, for example, remains a distant dream for many teachers, as their salaries are insufficient to cover the cost of purchasing and maintaining a vehicle. Housing is another major challenge.
Teachers often struggle to afford rent, particularly in urban areas where living costs are higher. Many are forced to live in substandard accommodations or rely on family members for support.
While public school teachers are often paid by the government and are therefore subject to slightly better wage conditions, their pay still falls below what is required for a decent standard of living.
Many public school teachers are also victims of delayed salary payments, adding further strain to their already challenging circumstances. Teachers in rural areas face additional hurdles, such as poor infrastructure and isolation, which further complicates their efforts to deliver quality education.
One of the most troubling aspects of this issue is the impact on the quality of education itself. When teachers are underpaid and overworked, the students inevitably suffer. Low morale, burnout, and financial stress take a toll on educators’ ability to perform at their best in the classroom.
This has far-reaching consequences for the education system as a whole, as demotivated teachers are less likely to inspire and engage their students. The end result is a decline in educational standards, which undermines the country’s long-term development goals.
The underpayment of teachers also contributes to high turnover rates, particularly in private schools, where educators are often lured away by better-paying opportunities in other sectors or in more affluent schools.
This turnover disrupts the continuity of education and destabilizes learning environments, particularly for younger students who benefit from consistent instruction. High turnover rates further undermine the professional development of teachers, as schools are reluctant to invest in training for staff they fear may leave.
Despite these challenges, there are steps that can be taken to address the issue. First and foremost, the Nigerian government must enforce the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act more rigorously, ensuring that all teachers are paid at least the legal minimum wage.
This is particularly critical in the private education sector, where wage exploitation is most common. In addition, the government must invest more heavily in the education sector, providing teachers with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the classroom.
This includes not only better pay but also improved working conditions, such as smaller class sizes, better facilities, and access to modern teaching aids.
Moreover, there must be stronger oversight and regulation of private schools to ensure that teachers are treated fairly. While private schools are a vital part of Nigeria’s education system, their success should not come at the expense of their teachers. School proprietors must recognize that the quality of education they provide is directly tied to the well-being of their teachers.
By paying fair wages and providing adequate working conditions, they can ensure that their schools remain competitive while also doing right by their employees.
Another potential solution lies in the introduction of incentives for teachers, particularly those who work in underserved rural areas. Such incentives could include housing allowances, transportation stipends, or access to affordable healthcare.
By alleviating some of the financial burdens faced by teachers, these incentives would not only improve their quality of life but also enhance their ability to focus on their primary responsibility: educating Nigeria’s youth.
There is also a need for stronger unions and advocacy groups to represent the interests of Nigerian teachers. While some progress has been made in this area, many teachers, particularly those in private schools, lack access to organized representation.
Teachers’ unions can play a vital role in advocating for better pay and working conditions, as well as providing legal assistance to teachers who face unfair treatment. Through collective action, teachers can push for the changes they so desperately need.
Ultimately, improving the situation for Nigerian teachers requires a coordinated effort from multiple stakeholders, including the government, private school proprietors, teachers’ unions, and civil society organizations.
The future of Nigeria depends on the strength of its education system, and that system, in turn, depends on the well-being of its teachers. It is in the nation’s best interest to ensure that teachers are compensated fairly and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
As Nigerian teachers mark International Teachers’ Day, it is essential to reflect on the sacrifices they make daily. Despite working tirelessly to educate the next generation, they are paid far below what is needed to live comfortably.
The current state of affairs is not sustainable, and unless significant reforms are made, the country’s education system will continue to suffer. By addressing the wage disparities and working conditions that teachers face, Nigeria can build a stronger, more effective education system that benefits both educators and students alike. The time for change is now—Nigeria’s teachers deserve nothing less.
Adejola Adeyemi Crown Publisher of Tropic Reporters adejolanews@gmail.com | adejola2010@gmail.com
