Come 20 September 2025, Lagos will play host to what is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of educators in Africa. An estimated 60,000 teachers from across Nigeria and beyond are due to converge at Tafawa Balewa Square, the same venue where Nigeria marked its independence in 1960. The organisers are aiming for a Guinness World Record, but beyond the numbers, the event?s true ambition lies in catalysing systemic reform in Nigeria?s education sector.

?An attempt to set a Guinness World Record could be the catalyst to galvanise holistic education sector reform in Nigeria,? writes Charles Ogwo.

The event, titled the ?Let There Be Teachers? Conference, is being organised by 1 Million Teachers, a professional development organisation focused on teacher capacity-building. According to its convener, Oluwaseyi Anifowose, the conference aims to reposition teachers at the centre of national development efforts.

?This is not intended to be a ceremonial gathering,? said Mr Anifowose. ?We are building a movement. One that brings together policymakers, teachers, government actors, and education professionals to discuss the real challenges confronting education in Nigeria.?

Mr Anifowose believes that strengthening the teaching profession is a prerequisite to building a sustainable education system. He argues that with the right policy attention and investment, teachers can be empowered to address many of Nigeria?s pressing development challenges.

Nigeria?s teacher workforce in numbers

Figures from the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) show that by 2023, the country had 2.3 million registered teachers. Within the basic education sub-sector alone, there were over 1.6 million teachers, with pre-primary and primary school educators making up the bulk. Junior secondary schools had more than 400,000 teachers on their rolls.

Yet, despite these numbers, teaching in Nigeria remains a profession beset by poor remuneration, limited career progression, and inadequate working conditions. According to Mr Anifowose, these realities contribute to a continuous exodus of teachers from the classroom.

Global data supports this trend. UNESCO, in a 2024 report, highlighted the rising global shortage of qualified teachers. The agency estimates that by 2030, the world will require 44 million new teachers to replace retirees and meet increasing demand. Sub-Saharan Africa faces the steepest gap, needing an additional 15 million teachers in just five years.

Nigeria?s own teacher shortfall is compounded by the challenges of reaching rural and underserved communities, where school infrastructure and teaching aids are either outdated or entirely absent. There are concerns that if these issues remain unaddressed, the country?s broader goals around development and equity may be undermined.

Link to the Sustainable Development Goals

Teachers are instrumental in advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), health (SDG 3), and climate action (SDG 13). For example, in northern Nigeria, where female school enrolment remains low, teachers often serve as mentors and community advocates, encouraging girls to remain in school.

Similarly, teachers are critical to delivering environmental education and promoting sustainable practices in schools through programmes such as the Nigerian Eco-Schools initiative. In rural areas, they often take on additional roles, leading health and hygiene campaigns that have a direct impact on student well-being.

Despite their significance, these efforts are frequently constrained by insufficient training and a lack of structured professional development opportunities. 1 Million Teachers argues that prioritising teacher empowerment would have ripple effects across multiple sectors.

Why a conference now?

For the organisers, the timing of the conference is strategic. With the country facing education-related challenges on multiple fronts?ranging from a shortage of qualified teachers to outdated curricula and poor funding?the forum is seen as a chance to reset national discourse around education.

Hakeem Subair, CEO of 1 Million Teachers, said the conference aims to redirect national attention to the needs of educators. ?We are calling on governments at all levels to prioritise the welfare and development of teachers,? he said. ?This is not just about salaries, but about recognition, professional growth, and meaningful inclusion in education policy-making.?

The gathering has received backing from the Lagos State Government and key educational bodies, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN), and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).

The long-term vision, according to the organisers, is to develop a sustainable model for teacher development that goes beyond one-off conferences. They aim to influence education policy, attract investment in teacher training, and ultimately contribute to building a globally competitive education system.

?This is a critical moment,? Anifowose said. ?Teachers across the country, from Lagos to Lokoja, Maiduguri to Makurdi, are uniting around a shared vision. They are asking to be heard and to be part of shaping the future of education in Nigeria.?

As the event draws nearer, many will be watching to see whether it lives up to its promise of igniting reform, not just for teachers but for the wider education system on which Nigeria?s development so heavily depends. (BusinessDay)

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