By Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba, has described his re-election for a second term as a call to greater responsibility to Nigerian teachers.
Amba stated this in his acceptance speech after being re-elected at the 8th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the union, held at the International Conference Center in Enugu.
The conference, which brought together more than 5,000 delegates and education administrators from across the country, had its theme: “The Deployment of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education: Will it Erode the Place of Teachers in the Classroom, A Myth or Reality?”
He thanked teachers nationwide for the overwhelming confidence they had placed in him, promising not to betray the trust placed in his leadership.
Amba said the renewed mandate was not a celebration of victory but a challenge to work harder to reposition the teaching profession for greater impact.
According to him, his second term will focus on three key priorities, including improving teachers’ welfare, enhancing professionalism, and promoting quality education across Nigeria.
He assured members of a transparent, open-door policy that would ensure inclusive participation in the running of the union.
Reviewing his first term in office, Comrade Amba was credited with leading the union’s persistent push the implement the special salary structure for basic and secondary school teachers, extend service years from 35 to 40 years, and improve retirement benefits approved by the previous administration. b425
Under his leadership, the union also intensified advocacy for professionalization of teaching, retraining to meet digital demands, and improved protection for teachers and schools affected by insecurity, while demanding implementation of incentives such as low-cost housing for rural teachers, special rural and science allowances, and bursary awards for education students. b425
A major highlight of his first tenure was capacity building through the Study Circle program, under which more than 4,042 State Wing Executive Council members were trained across 32 states and the FCT, with 70 classroom teachers trained as conveners to drive professional development at the grassroots.
The NUT president noted that while teachers are prepared to embrace new realities, including digital technology and artificial intelligence, governments at all levels must also fulfill their responsibility to address teachers’ needs.
He disclosed that the union will strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and other labor bodies to secure a new living minimum wage that reflects current economic realities.
Amba called on the federal government to urgently tackle insecurity around schools, stressing that the safety of learners and teachers is critical to educational emancipation.
He said meaningful teaching and learning cannot thrive amid kidnapping, attacks, and fear; therefore, the government must make safe schools a top priority.
Earlier, dignitaries from within and outside the country attended the conference, including a high-powered delegation from Kaduna State led by Comrade Jerry Adams, who represented Governor Uba Sani and is also his running mate for the 2027 election.
Governor Uba Sani commended what he described as the prudent and dynamic leadership of Comrade Amba and thanked teachers for keeping faith with the illustrious son of Kaduna State.
In his remarks, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by the Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Dr. Ronke Soyombo, challenged teachers to adopt digital technology and artificial intelligence to improve their profession.
He said adopting new skills aligns with the ongoing transformation in the education sector being championed by the federal government.
The governors of Enugu and Kebbi States, Mr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and Dr. Nasir Idris, respectively, described teachers as central to societal development and called for greater attention to their welfare and concerns.