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The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has saluted Nigerian teachers for their invaluable service to the nation, describing them as the backbone of national development and custodians of the country’s future.
In a goodwill message to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, the Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC Campaign, Kola Ologbondiyan, said teachers had continued to mould lives, build character and sustain Nigeria’s education system despite years of neglect, hardship and deteriorating working conditions.
Ologbondiyan described Nigerian teachers as “true heroes”, commending their sacrifice, dedication, resilience and patriotic commitment to the nation.
“Nigerian teachers are true heroes. They have continued to mould lives, build character and sustain our educational system even in the face of neglect and hardship.
“On this special day, the ADC-PCC celebrates their sacrifice, dedication, resilience and patriotic service to our dear country,” he said.
He, however, condemned what he described as the worsening hardship confronting teachers under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, arguing that government policies had made it increasingly difficult for them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
According to him, the removal of the petroleum subsidy without adequate cushioning measures, poor and irregular salaries, inadequate welfare packages, insufficient training and retraining, dilapidated school infrastructure and the rising cost of living had combined to make life increasingly unbearable for teachers across the country.
“It is disheartening that those who teach our children, who nurture our future leaders, doctors, engineers and scientists, are themselves living in pain.
“How can a teacher teach effectively on an empty stomach? How can a teacher give his best when he cannot afford transportation to school because of high fuel prices, when his salary cannot meet his monthly needs, when he has no adequate medical insurance and cannot afford decent accommodation?” he queried.
Ologbondiyan further alleged that the teaching profession had been significantly devalued under the APC administration, with many primary and secondary school teachers poorly remunerated, while workers in tertiary institutions had repeatedly embarked on strikes over what he described as the government’s failure to adequately address their welfare and working conditions.
Despite the challenges, he said Nigerian teachers had remained committed to their duties and deserved not only commendation but also a fundamental improvement in their welfare and professional conditions.
The party assured teachers that an ADC administration led by its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, would make teachers’ welfare and the transformation of the education sector major priorities.
The spokesman said the party would pursue prompt payment of living wages, improved allowances, comprehensive health insurance, affordable housing, continuous professional development and a conducive teaching and learning environment.
“The ADC will place education and teachers’ welfare at the centre of its national development agenda because no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers,” he said.
Ologbondiyan urged Nigerian teachers to remain hopeful, assuring them that the ADC would restore dignity, professionalism and pride to the teaching profession if given the mandate to lead the country in 2027.
“On behalf of the ADC Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, and the entire Campaign Council, we wish all Nigerian teachers a happy World Teachers’ Day.
“Your labour will not be in vain,” he concluded.
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