School proprietors, education leaders, and stakeholders within Nigeria’s education sector are advancing preparations for the “Let There Be Teachers” Conference, which aims to mobilize 60,000 teachers in what is anticipated to be the largest teachers’ gathering in the nation’s history, and potentially a Guinness World Record event.
Nigeria’s education system has long contended with systemic obstacles, including insufficient funding, inadequate infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and low teacher remuneration. Despite the central role of educators in national development, the teaching profession has frequently been undervalued and under-supported.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mr. Luyi Armstrong, General Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, confirmed that a strategic session had convened representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers alongside other stakeholders to finalize arrangements for the event. He described the conference as a landmark moment scheduled to take place on September 20, 2025, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, urging teachers nationwide to attend.
Conference convener and education advocate, Mr. Oluwaseyi Anifowose, underscored the importance of collaboration in transforming Nigeria’s education landscape, stating:
“The growth of our schools is directly tied to the growth of our teachers. When we empower schools, we empower educators, and ultimately, we secure the future of education in Nigeria.”
Dr. Hakeem Subair, co-founder of 1 Million Teachers (1MT), echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the societal value of teachers:
“It is time for society to pay more attention to teachers’ issues. Teachers play a remarkable role in shaping society and building harmony.”
The preparatory session also featured contributions from leading education experts, including Ms. Ronke Posh Adeniyi, Ms. Rizma Butt, Mr. Rotimi Eyitayo, Ms. Rhoda Odigboh, and Prof. Akin Akinpelu, who discussed strategies relating to school innovation, leadership, and sustainability.
Organizers of the “Let There Be Teachers” Conference note that the event will provide a platform to spotlight urgent challenges facing educators, address learning poverty, promote technology-driven teaching, and strengthen teacher training initiatives designed to improve outcomes for millions of Nigerian students.#newsafro_
