A significant number of Nigerian states have yet to implement the N30,000 minimum wage for teachers, introduced in 2019. Currently, 12 states, including Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Cross River, Gombe, Imo, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Bauchi, and Zamfara, have not enforced this policy for teachers ¹.
Furthermore, data from the National Union of Teachers reveals that some states, although having implemented the 2019 minimum wage, have not fully enforced it for primary school teachers. The affected states in this category are Anambra, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Yobe ¹.
In a disturbing revelation, the Nigeria Labour Congress in Zamfara State accused the state government of paying teachers a meager N8,000 monthly in May 2024 ¹. Similarly, Abia State government faced criticism for failing to implement the minimum wage, not only for teachers but also for other workers in the state ¹.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) President, Titus Amba, expressed concerns about the slow implementation of welfare packages for teachers announced by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020. These incentives aimed to revitalize the education sector and included ¹:
- Special Salary Scale : Payment of special salary scale for teachers in basic and secondary schools.
- Bursary Awards : Reintroduction of bursary awards to education students in universities and colleges.
- Teachers’ Pension Scheme : Special pension scheme to retain experienced teachers and extend retirement age.
- Career Path Policy : Development of career path policy for teaching professionals.
- Low-Cost Housing : Building low-cost houses for teachers in rural areas.
- Loan Facilities : Provision of loan facilities for agriculture, housing, cars, motorcycles, and others.
- Education Benefits : Free tuition and automatic admission for biological children of teachers.
Amba urged federal and state governments to implement these approved incentives to boost teachers’ morale and enhance their professional performance ¹. In a positive development, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal recently announced plans to begin paying the N30,000 minimum wage starting June 2024 ¹.
