FIRST Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for urgent action to tackle the worsening shortage of teachers in the country and across the globe, describing the situation as a major challenge to education and national development.
In a statement to mark World Teachers’ Day 2025, themed “Focusing on the Global Teacher Shortage,” sent to News Point Nigeria, Mrs. Tinubu celebrated educators as “true heroes, shaping minds, nurturing dreams, and guiding generations,” and urged governments, policymakers, and communities to give the teaching profession the respect, attention, and investment it deserves.
The statement, released on Sunday and made available to Channels Television, highlighted the First Lady’s lifelong commitment to education and her deep appreciation for the pivotal role teachers play in shaping societies.
“As a lifelong teacher myself, I salute all teachers on this special day,” she said. “The shortage of teachers is a challenge we must confront with urgency, by empowering educators, investing in their growth, and inspiring more people to join this noble profession.”
Senator Tinubu praised teachers across Nigeria and beyond for their resilience and dedication in nurturing future generations despite challenges such as inadequate facilities, poor remuneration, and insecurity.
She noted that no society can rise above the quality of its teachers, emphasizing that addressing the shortage requires deliberate investment in teacher training, welfare, and motivation.
“Teachers remain the builders of our collective future,” the First Lady stated. “We must create systems that attract, support, and retain them because the progress of any nation depends on the strength of its classrooms.”
Mrs. Tinubu’s statement also reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to initiatives that enhance educational standards, including efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to promote literacy, empower women and children, and strengthen human capital development.
She concluded by saluting teachers across the federation, calling them “the bedrock of national transformation” and encouraging citizens to celebrate and support them not only on World Teachers’ Day but throughout the year.
