By Ime Silas
The Labour Party has felicitated Nigerian teachers on the occasion of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, describing them as the bastion of the nation’s knowledge and learning.
In a press statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party celebrated teachers for their pivotal role in moulding children and youths into future leaders, while lamenting the current poor condition of teachers in the country.
The party noted with regret the position Nigerian teachers occupy in society despite their enormous sacrifices, and assured them of its solidarity as they continue to agitate for better learning conditions for children and improved working conditions for themselves.
“The Labour Party wishes Nigerian teachers, the very bastion of the nation’s knowledge and learning, a happy World Teachers’ Day. Given the pivotal role teachers play in moulding our children and youths into the future leaders of tomorrow, the Labour Party notes with regret the current position of Nigerian teachers in society,” the statement said.
According to the party, given its shared history through the Labour Movement to the birth of the Labour Party, it enjoined Nigerian teachers not to waver in their faith in the Labour Party as the pathway to improved welfare and better conditions of service.
The party urged teachers across the country to stand firmly with its candidates across all elective positions as the 2027 general elections approach, noting that the Labour Party remains the vehicle best positioned to advance the interests of Nigerian teachers and secure the dignified future they deserve.
Citing the example of Abia State, the party said Governor Alex Otti has fulfilled the campaign promises he made to teachers in the state, adding that the same feat will be replicated across all states of the federation when its candidates are voted into elective offices nationwide.
“With what is today happening in Abia State, where Gov. Alex Otti has fulfilled the campaign promises he made to teachers in the state, the Labour Party makes bold to remind Nigerian teachers that the same feat will be replicated across all states of the federation when our candidates are voted into elective offices nationwide,” Asogwa stated.
The Labour Party also called on those in authority to take a critical look at the pitiable condition of Nigerian teachers and declare a National State of Emergency in the teaching sector.
The party warned that no nation can genuinely grow where those entrusted with moulding the future generations of its citizens are themselves ill-equipped, poorly motivated and inadequately rewarded to perform their duties.
It further stressed the need for the nation to prioritise the training and retraining of Nigerian teachers, while paying significant attention to the learning conditions of children and the welfare and working conditions of teachers.
“When it is said that a teacher’s reward is in heaven, it does not suggest that teachers should be starved to death. It simply means that there is a special place reserved for them in the afterlife because of their enormous contributions to the cause of humanity,” the party said.
The Labour Party therefore celebrated Nigerian teachers on the special occasion and reaffirmed its commitment to building a Nigeria where teachers are respected, adequately rewarded and provided with the necessary tools and conditions to effectively shape the future of the nation.
