Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has praised Nigerian teachers for their contribution to national development while promising to pursue policies aimed at improving their welfare and reducing the cost of living.
Atiku made the remarks on Monday, October 5, 2026, as Nigeria joined the international community to mark World Teachers’ Day, using the occasion to highlight the economic pressures he said are affecting teachers and other Nigerian families.
In a statement issued through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said teachers deserved more than ceremonial recognition and called for policies that would improve their working and living conditions.
Atiku Recalls His Early Teachers
Atiku said his appreciation for teachers was shaped by his own experience as a student, particularly the teachers who taught him in Jada, Adamawa State.
He recalled the role those teachers played in his early education and described them as people who helped shape his future.
The former vice president, who is also the founder of the American University of Nigeria, said teachers were central to the development of individuals and societies because they help build knowledge, confidence and opportunities for younger generations.
Atiku said the contribution of teachers should therefore be recognised through concrete policies rather than limited to speeches and celebrations on World Teachers’ Day.
His message focused particularly on the economic challenges facing educators, including the rising costs of food, transportation, housing and electricity.
Promise of Better Welfare
Atiku said that, if given the opportunity to lead Nigeria, he would work towards improving the welfare of teachers and making life more affordable for families.
He argued that teachers should be able to earn enough to meet basic household needs without their incomes being overwhelmed by the cost of essential goods and services.
According to his statement, his proposed approach would include policies designed to reduce the cost of living, support decent employment and improve the ability of working Nigerians to maintain a dignified standard of living.
Atiku said teachers should not be expected to continue providing quality education while struggling with economic pressures outside the classroom.
He also argued that government recognition of teachers must be accompanied by practical measures that improve their conditions throughout the year.
Criticism of Tinubu Administration
The Teachers’ Day message also contained criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku argued that the economic difficulties facing teachers reflected wider concerns about the cost of living in Nigeria.
He criticised the government over what he described as worsening hardship and questioned whether existing policies were sufficiently addressing the welfare of teachers and other working Nigerians.
Atiku’s comments are political criticism from an opposition presidential candidate and should therefore be understood in that context.
The statement did not establish independently that every challenge cited by Atiku was caused by a single government policy. Rather, he used the occasion to argue for a different approach to economic management and public welfare.
No response from the presidency was included in the reports reviewed for this article.
Atiku Challenges Political Leadership Over Teachers
In his message, Atiku also directly questioned President Tinubu’s connection to the experience of teachers.
He challenged the president to identify teachers and classmates from his own educational background, using the point to argue that political leaders should understand the people and institutions that contributed to their development.
The criticism was part of Atiku’s broader argument that leaders should remain connected to the everyday realities of citizens.
However, the remarks represent Atiku’s political assessment and should not be treated as an independent finding about the president’s educational history or relationship with teachers.
The central issue raised by Atiku was that political recognition of teachers should translate into policies capable of improving their livelihoods.
Teachers Face Wider Economic Pressures
The concerns raised by Atiku come against a wider national debate about teachers’ welfare and the condition of Nigeria’s education system.
Teachers operate within an education sector facing multiple pressures, including remuneration, professional development, infrastructure, classroom resources and changing demands created by technology.
A World Teachers’ Day analysis published in Nigeria also highlighted concerns about teachers’ pay, professional dignity and working conditions, while stressing the importance of collaboration between teachers, schools and education authorities.
Another report on the 2026 celebration noted that Nigerian teachers are confronting the challenge of adapting to artificial intelligence and other technological changes while still seeking improved pay, training, facilities and professional recognition.
These issues mean that teachers’ welfare cannot be considered separately from the broader question of education quality.
World Teachers’ Day and the Global Context
World Teachers’ Day is observed internationally on October 5 each year to recognise teachers and draw attention to the conditions under which they work.
The 2026 observance has particular significance because it marks 60 years since UNESCO and the International Labour Organization adopted the 1966 Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
The anniversary has renewed international attention on teachers’ professional status, working conditions and the need to support the teaching profession.
For Nigeria, the occasion provides an opportunity to examine not only how teachers are celebrated but also whether education policies provide them with the resources, training and conditions needed to perform effectively.
State Governments Also Mark Teachers’ Day
The national discussion around teachers’ welfare has also been reflected in actions by state governments.
In Oyo State, the government declared Monday, October 5, a work-free day for teachers to enable them to participate in activities marking World Teachers’ Day. The state government said the decision reflected its commitment to teachers’ welfare, dignity and professional development.
Kwara and Ekiti states also announced work-free arrangements for teachers for the celebration.
The measures illustrate the different ways governments are responding to the annual celebration, although work-free days alone do not resolve the broader questions surrounding remuneration, professional development and working conditions.
Political Promises and the 2027 Election
Atiku’s Teachers’ Day message also comes as Nigerian political parties and candidates position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As an ADC presidential candidate, his promise to improve teachers’ welfare forms part of his wider political case for an alternative approach to governance.
Other political figures have also used the 2026 Teachers’ Day observance to announce education-related proposals.
For example, Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo promised improved salaries, allowances and pensions for teachers while proposing greater investment in education technology and infrastructure.
In Oyo State, APC governorship candidate Sharafadeen Alli also pledged to prioritise teachers’ welfare and proposed measures including improved loans, rural hardship allowances and a teachers’ housing and mortgage scheme if elected.
These competing promises demonstrate that teachers’ welfare is emerging as an important political issue ahead of the next election cycle.
However, political promises require scrutiny over their financing, implementation plans and measurable targets.
Why Teachers’ Welfare Matters
Teachers occupy a central position in Nigeria’s development because the quality of education depends heavily on the people responsible for delivering it.
A poorly supported teaching workforce can face difficulties maintaining motivation, acquiring new skills and responding effectively to changing educational demands.
Conversely, better working conditions, professional development and adequate classroom resources can strengthen the ability of teachers to provide quality education.
The issue also extends beyond teachers themselves.
The welfare and professional stability of teachers affect pupils, parents, schools, communities and ultimately the country’s workforce.
Students who receive quality education are better positioned to acquire the knowledge and skills required for employment, entrepreneurship and participation in public life.
This makes teachers’ welfare both an education issue and a broader economic and development concern.
Cost of Living Remains Central to Debate
Atiku’s statement placed particular emphasis on the cost of basic necessities.
He argued that food, transportation, rent and electricity consume a significant portion of household incomes and that teachers should not have to choose between meeting basic needs and remaining committed to their profession.
His proposed response is to pursue policies aimed at making life more affordable.
However, reducing the cost of living is a complex economic challenge involving inflation, wages, energy costs, transportation, housing, food production and broader fiscal and monetary policies.
Any future government promising major improvements would therefore need to translate broad commitments into specific and financially sustainable measures.
The Need for Policy Beyond Celebrations
One of the strongest themes in Atiku’s message was that public recognition should be followed by concrete action.
Teachers’ Day provides an annual opportunity to acknowledge educators, but the profession requires attention throughout the year.
This includes questions about salaries, timely promotions, pensions, training, classroom facilities, teaching materials, security and professional development.
Nigeria’s education authorities also face the challenge of preparing teachers for technological changes, including the increasing use of artificial intelligence in education.
The combination of traditional classroom responsibilities and emerging technologies means that professional development will increasingly be important.
Reactions and Political Context
Atiku’s statement has added to a wider series of Teachers’ Day messages from politicians and public officials across Nigeria.
While Atiku focused on economic hardship and national leadership, other political figures used the occasion to make their own commitments to education and teachers.
The different messages share a common theme: teachers remain important to national development and their welfare requires greater attention.
The major difference lies in the policy approaches and political arguments offered by individual actors.
For Weng Global, these proposals should be assessed based on their practical details, funding mechanisms and measurable outcomes rather than campaign language alone.
What Happens Next
Atiku’s promise to improve teachers’ welfare remains a political commitment rather than an implemented government policy.
Its significance will depend on whether his party can translate the proposal into a detailed programme and, ultimately, whether he wins the 2027 presidential election.
For the current government, the Teachers’ Day debate also provides an opportunity to explain existing policies affecting teachers and the education sector and to respond to criticisms concerning living standards and professional welfare.
For teachers and education stakeholders, the key question is likely to remain practical: what specific measures will improve incomes, working conditions, training and professional dignity?
Conclusion
Atiku Abubakar has used the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration to commend Nigerian teachers, recall the role educators played in his own life and promise policies aimed at improving their welfare and reducing the cost of living.
He also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over what he described as economic hardship affecting teachers and other Nigerians.
The comments come amid a wider national and international discussion about the future of the teaching profession, including pay, professional development, working conditions and the impact of new technologies on education.
As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 elections, teachers’ welfare is likely to remain part of the political debate.
The challenge for all political actors will be to move beyond commemorative messages and demonstrate how their promises can be financed, implemented and measured.
Weng Global — Stories beyond borders
Sources
- ADC Presidential Campaign Council
- The Punch
- The Guardian Nigeria
- Tribune Online
- ThisDay
- P.M. News
