No Rewards, No Teachers: Oyedapo Ipadeola Sounds Dire Warning

A university lecturer, Surveyor Oyedapo Ipadeola, has called on the Nigerian government to urgently improve the welfare of teachers at all levels of education, warning that continued neglect could lead to a severe shortage of qualified educators in the country.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Friday, Surveyor Ipadeola stressed that “teachers’ rewards are no longer in heaven,” pointing out that the traditional respect once accorded to teachers is no longer enough to retain talent in the profession.

He highlighted the challenges facing teachers across the nation, including low salaries, irregular payment of allowances, lack of adequate teaching materials, and poor working conditions. According to him, these factors have made teaching a less attractive career, particularly for young graduates who may opt for more lucrative professions.

“If the government does not act now to improve teachers’ welfare, Nigeria risks facing a future where schools are understaffed, learning standards drop, and students’ academic performance suffers,” Surveyor Ipadeola warned.

The lecturer urged policymakers to consider a comprehensive package for teachers that includes better salaries, housing allowances, health benefits, and continuous professional development programs. He added that investment in teachers is directly linked to the nation’s socio-economic growth and the development of its human capital.

Education experts have long sounded the alarm on the effects of poor teacher motivation, linking it to high attrition rates, brain drain, and declining educational standards. Surveyor Ipadeola’s call comes at a time when stakeholders are advocating for greater budgetary allocations to the education sector and the implementation of sustainable policies to attract and retain qualified personnel in schools nationwide.

“Teachers are the backbone of any education system,” he concluded. “Neglecting them today will cost the nation dearly tomorrow.”