Welfare Packages: NUT Urges Tinubu to Fulfill 5-Year-Old Promises

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has once again appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently implement the welfare packages for teachers that were approved by his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, back in 2020.

Despite the passage of five years since these promises were made, the union laments that the approved special salary structure and other incentives for teachers remain largely unfulfilled.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, the National President of the union, Comrade Audu Amba, emphasized that the failure to execute these welfare provisions has contributed significantly to the ongoing challenges facing teachers across the country. According to him, the lack of implementation adversely affects teachers’ morale, productivity, and overall well-being.

Comrade Amba urged both federal and state governments to prioritize the full realization of the approved welfare packages to revitalize the teaching profession and enhance teachers’ dedication to their roles.

He highlighted several key components of the welfare package, including the payment of a Special Salary Scale for basic and secondary school teachers, the reintroduction of bursary awards for students pursuing education in universities and colleges of education, and the establishment of a Special Teachers Pension Scheme aimed at retaining experienced educators within the profession.

Further incentives outlined by Amba include extending the retirement age for teachers to 65 years, provision of housing units for teachers, special allowances for science teachers, and support for education students.

“Our former President, Muhammadu Buhari, took a bold step in approving all these initiatives for us,” Amba remarked. “We have been consistently advocating for their implementation, but regrettably, none have been fully executed.”

He added that these issues have been a recurring theme in the union’s communications with the government, including messages delivered on Teachers’ Day and various other platforms.

“We are appealing to President Tinubu to take decisive action and continue the work of his predecessor because governance is a continuum,” he asserted.

Despite the challenges, Amba commended teachers nationwide for their resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to the teaching profession. He encouraged educators to maintain their dedication and uphold the ideals of their noble vocation.

Reflecting on the initial announcements made during the 2020 World Teachers’ Day celebrations, the Buhari administration had approved a comprehensive package designed to uplift teachers across Nigeria.

This included the introduction of a special salary scale for teachers at the basic and secondary education levels and an extension of the years of service required for retirement from 35 to 40 years.

Additionally, the package promised the construction of affordable housing units for teachers, the provision of special allowances for those teaching in rural areas, and unique allowances targeted at science educators.

Other significant benefits included automatic admission with free tuition into public schools for biological children of teachers, automatic employment opportunities for graduates in education, and loan facilities tailored to support teachers in agriculture, housing, car ownership, and motorcycles.

The Buhari government had underscored that these measures were intended to motivate teachers, improve service delivery, and ultimately enhance the quality of education nationwide.

However, the Nigeria Union of Teachers now calls on the current administration to ensure these commitments are translated into concrete actions that will restore dignity and support to the teaching workforce.