A human resources and change management expert, Yomi Fawehinmi, has said Nigeria’s education system is in crisis because teachers are underpaid, undervalued, and overworked.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, Fawehinmi said that while the country now marks World Teachers’ Day, the deeper problems affecting teachers and the education sector remain unresolved.
He said some state governments had used the annual celebration to provide gifts or grants to teachers, but such gestures do not address the structural challenges in the profession.
“Globally, the teaching profession suffers the most. Somebody in education earns about 25 per cent less than colleagues with the same degree elsewhere, even in America,” he said.
Fawehinmi also noted that gender bias contributes to poor pay in education, as professions with more women tend to be undervalued.
He contrasted Nigeria’s system with countries like South Korea and Finland, where the most intelligent students become teachers. “In Nigeria, the weakest students often end up in teacher training, which weakens the foundation of education,” he said.
Fawehinmi linked this to the declining quality of comprehension and reasoning among young Nigerians, saying, “Go to social media and read people’s comments; you will know English was not well taught.”
He also criticised the rising cost of private education, arguing that expensive tuition does not guarantee better learning outcomes.
“The point is for parents to understand the implications of their schooling choices. Every child has unique talents and needs,” he said.
Fawehinmi urged policymakers to redefine education beyond classroom learning, saying that cultural values and national progress are deeply connected.
“Education is not just about schooling; it is about shaping human thought and values. Until we treat teachers and education with dignity, Nigeria will continue to produce citizens who can read but cannot reason,” he said.
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