Nigeria Experiences Significant Decline in Teaching Workforce, UBEC Executive Secretary Reports

Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has reported a dramatic reduction of over 30 percent in Nigeria’s teaching workforce over the past three years, largely due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This disclosure was made during a six-day training workshop organized by the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with UBEC, which focused on SMASE and Jolly Phonics for 30 School Support Officers (SSOs) in Kano.

Bobboyi expressed deep concern over the situation, highlighting that many teachers have retired or left their positions without being replaced. He praised the proactive steps taken by the Kano State government, which has been actively recruiting new teachers and addressing the retiree gap. He urged other states to adopt similar measures to combat the widespread shortage.

“Over the past three years, and particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed a concerning reduction of more than 30 percent in our teaching workforce. This is a serious issue as many teachers have either retired or left the profession without sufficient replacements,” Bobboyi noted.

He stressed the vital role teachers play in shaping the future of the country and emphasized the need to prioritize their welfare to ensure they can effectively nurture the next generation. “Teachers are essential to our educational system. Neglecting their needs undermines the development of our future leaders and the progress of our nation. We must support their welfare to safeguard our educational standards and future growth,” he stated.

Bobboyi also commended the teacher development initiatives of the Kano State government, noting that the training session for SSOs is an important step towards improving educational quality.

Yusuf Kabir, Executive Secretary of Kano State SUBEB, outlined the state government's efforts to address the teacher shortage. He revealed that Kano State has implemented a policy to replace retired teachers every three months and is constructing additional classrooms to alleviate overcrowding. Additionally, local committees are being established to monitor educational performance and ensure optimal teaching conditions.

Kabir added, “We have invested in new teaching and learning materials to support effective education delivery.”

The trained School Support Officers will assist teachers in core subjects like science and mathematics, aiming to boost student achievement and educational outcomes across the state.