Teachers Demand Special Salary Structure to Attract Top Talent

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, has called for a special salary structure for teachers, arguing that it is necessary to attract the best minds into the profession and restore its dignity.
Amba warned that the union may shut down primary schools indefinitely in states that have refused to implement the N70,000 minimum wage for primary school teachers. He specifically mentioned Gombe and Zamfara States as lagging behind, even as other categories of workers in these states enjoy the wage adjustment.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of the NUT National Executive Council (NEC), Amba said the union would review the statistics of non-compliant states and issue directives for teachers to down tools where necessary.
He lamented the neglect of the teaching profession, stressing that better welfare and a special salary structure would make the sector attractive and competitive.
“We will continue to fight for the teaching profession to reach the next level in terms of welfare. Teaching should be so rewarding that people actively seek opportunities to join, rather than it being a last resort for unemployed graduates,” Amba said.
Highlighting global examples, he noted that countries like Finland and Canada have prioritized teachers’ welfare, making the profession highly respected and competitive.
Amba also expressed concern over the growing “japa syndrome”, with teachers leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad, including neighbouring African countries, due to poor working conditions.
He drew attention to the dire state of public primary schools, where pupils sit on bare floors and teachers lack basic facilities such as chairs for marking scripts. “Government is trying, but more needs to be done. While positive steps have been taken, emphasis on education and teachers’ welfare must increase,” he said.
While commending the recent salary increase for university lecturers under ASUU, Amba emphasized that basic education remains the foundation of Nigeria’s educational system and should not be neglected.
He also highlighted disparities in minimum wage implementation across states, noting that while civil servants and secondary school teachers often benefit, primary school teachers under local government authorities are frequently excluded. He cited the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where primary school teachers went on strike for three months before the minimum wage was implemented.
Speaking at the same event, NLC President Joe Ajaero supported a special salary structure for teachers, stressing that the issue goes beyond minimum wage implementation and requires deliberate government commitment to prioritise education.