By Fatima Mukhtar
Nigeria’s education sector is grappling with a severe manpower crisis, with the country requiring at least 1.2 million additional teachers to adequately staff its classrooms.
This was disclosed by Hajiya Rabia Adamu, Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Ofeme-Ohuhu, Umuahia, Abia State, during the institution’s maiden matriculation ceremony held on Friday.
According to her, while the global standard sets the teacher-to-pupil ratio at 1:25, the reality in Nigeria paints a troubling picture.
“In some schools, one teacher is left to manage 300, 400, or even 500 pupils,” she lamented.
Addressing the 160 new students admitted into the college, Adamu expressed optimism about their career choice. “I believe your decision to join a college of education is driven by a genuine interest in becoming professional teachers,” she said.
She further highlighted that most of the matriculating students showed preference for business education, political science, and social studies, describing it as a reflection of the country’s urgent needs.
“As a teacher and stakeholder in the education sector, I must stress that Nigeria is standing on the edge of a major crisis unless we take action,” she warned.
Adamu urged the federal government to fully implement the National Teacher Education Policy, stressing that doing so would help reposition the profession and restore dignity to the classroom.
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