School owners, education leaders, and stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have intensified preparations to mobilise 60,000 teachers for the upcoming “Let There Be Teachers” Conference.
Nigeria’s education sector has long grappled with systemic challenges, ranging from underfunding and inadequate infrastructure to low teacher motivation and limited access to training opportunities.
The teaching profession, despite being central to national development, has often been undervalued, with many teachers facing poor remuneration, overcrowded classrooms, and limited professional growth.
A statement by General Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr Luyi Armstrong, on Wednesday, said a strategic meeting, which brought together members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and other key players, focused on finalising strategies for what could become a Guinness World Record event — the largest teachers’ gathering in Nigeria’s history.
Speaking at the strategy session, he described the conference as a landmark moment for Nigerian educators, saying the unprecedented gathering was scheduled for September 20, 2025, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
“This is a precursor to the event coming up next Saturday. We are excited that, for the first time in our country’s history, teachers will gather on such a scale to discuss their challenges and celebrate their contributions. All teachers are encouraged to attend.”
Conference convener and education advocate, Oluwaseyi Anifowose, stressed the need for collaboration in transforming Nigeria’s education system.
“The growth of our schools is directly tied to the growth of our teachers. When we empower schools, we empower educators, and ultimately, we secure the future of education in Nigeria,” Anifowose said.
Co-founder of 1 Million Teachers (1MT), Dr Hakeem Subair, emphasised the critical role teachers play in national development.
“It is time for society to pay more attention to teachers’ issues. Teachers play a remarkable role in shaping society and building harmony”, he noted.
The strategy session also featured insights from prominent education experts, including Ronke Posh Adeniyi, Rizma Butt, Rotimi Eyitayo, Rhoda Odigboh, and Prof. Akin Akinpelu, who shared strategies on school innovation, leadership, and sustainability.
Organisers say the “Let There Be Teachers” Conference will spotlight pressing issues facing teachers, advance solutions to learning poverty, and promote technology-driven teaching.
It will also foster partnerships across states and strengthen teacher training programs aimed at improving learning outcomes for millions of Nigerian children.
