Mrs Ifeoma Eze has taught biology in a public school in Anambra for over 15 years. She still loves teaching, but she is tired of struggling. “We are not losing teachers to better jobs. We are losing them to survival,” she says. That painfully yet straightforward truth reflects what is happening across Nigeria’s education system. Many teachers are leaving, not because they are not good, but because the system is broken. Low pay, poor working conditions, and a lack of respect are driving them out.
According to a 2023 report by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, almost half the teachers in Niger State and over 14% in Bayelsa have quit over the years. The reason? Burnout, stress, and hopelessness. Some teachers are now moving online, joining platforms like uLesson and Tuteria. These offer better pay and freedom, but experts warn that this may not be a long-term solution. “It is gig work, not a career,” says Adeolu Adesina, an edtech expert.
What is worse is that many teachers who stay are stuck and frustrated. They feel like they are no longer growing. Even teacher training schools are outdated and underfunded. Education experts say it is time to listen to teachers and let them lead the change. “We do not need more tools,” says award-winning teacher Olasunkanmi Opeifa. “We need people who know the classroom.” If Nigeria wants better education, it must treat teachers as nation-builders, not just workers. Until that happens, the future of education in the country remains at risk.
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