Stakeholders in the education sector have warned that the worsening condition of teachers in Nigeria was directly weakening classroom outcomes, calling for urgent, systemic reforms to address what they described as a growing crisis in the sector.

The stakeholders said persistent neglect of teachers ranging from poor welfare to limited professional support continues to undermine the quality of education nationwide, with long-term implications for national development.

Convener of the Let There Be Teachers movement, Oluwaseyi Anifowose, said the realities faced by teachers daily reflect a deeper structural failure that must be urgently addressed.

He said: “Somewhere in Nigeria today, a teacher is standing in front of a class doing their best with what they have—no cameras, no applause, no recognition, just responsibility.

“That quiet moment, repeated across thousands of classrooms, is where the future of this nation is being decided—not in policy rooms alone, but in the classrooms.”

Anifowose stressed that while teachers remain central to shaping the country’s future, they continue to operate under pressure, often without the necessary tools and support to deliver effectively.

“Beneath the pressure, there is purpose; beneath the silence, there is strength. But the question we must ask after the applause is—what next?

“This is not about another gathering or another record; it is about reform. We must move from applause to accountability, and from celebration to commitment.”

As part of efforts to address these concerns, he unveiled a reform-driven initiative aimed at mobilising 200,000 teachers across the country into a structured professional commitment to improve classroom delivery and accountability.

According to Anifowose, the initiative would focus on strengthening teachers’ capacity while also addressing welfare and well-being challenges that affect their performance.

“A struggling teacher cannot build a thriving classroom. If we want better outcomes, then we must invest in the teacher—professionally, financially, and personally.”

He added that the reform push would include the introduction of support systems for teachers and programmes designed to prepare and strengthen the next generation of educators.

Also speaking, Executive Director of the initiative, Sola Adeola Amudipe, described the situation as a critical national issue, warning that no education system could rise above the condition of its teachers.

“We are here because the Nigerian teacher has been overlooked for far too long and that must change.

“Education cannot rise above the quality, visibility, and dignity of its teachers. If we are serious about national development, then we must be serious about those who stand at the front of our classrooms every single day.”

Amudipe added that addressing the challenges facing teachers requires deliberate policy action and sustained investment, not symbolic gestures.

“This is more than an event—it is a national statement that teachers matter, that their voices count, and that the future of our nation rests firmly in their hands,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the teaching profession, stressing that no education system could rise above the quality, motivation, and recognition of its teachers.

The Director of the Department of Colleges of Education, Dr Uchemba Uba lauded organisers for championing a platform focused on repositioning teachers at the heart of national development.

Represented by Dr Iyabode Aliyu, he described the conference as “a timely intervention” amid growing concerns over learning outcomes and the state of the education sector.

“The Let There Be Teachers Conference 2026 is not just an event—it is a timely intervention. It speaks directly to a fundamental truth: that no education system can rise above the quality, motivation, and recognition of its teachers.”

Uba noted that as stakeholders seek solutions to improve the nation’s education system, such initiatives provide a critical avenue for reflection, collaboration, and reform.

“At a time when we are collectively seeking solutions to improve learning outcomes and strengthen our education system, initiatives like this provide an opportunity for reflection, collaboration, and reform.”

He particularly commended the introduction of innovative support mechanisms such as the Happy Teachers App and the Graduate Teachers Fellowship, describing them as practical steps towards addressing longstanding challenges in the profession.

“Particularly commendable is the focus on innovative support systems such as the Happy Teachers App and the Graduate Teachers Fellowship, which signal a shift from advocacy to practical action.”

The director emphasised that sustainable progress in education would depend largely on deliberate efforts to support and empower teachers through policies and structured programmes.