By Ngozi Nwankwo
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has assured Nigerian teachers of improved welfare and professional support, saying no technology, including Artificial Intelligence, can replace the teacher in the classroom.
Alausa gave the assurance on Sunday in Abuja at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration and President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards, PTSEA.
With the theme “Protecting and Advancing the Status of the Teaching Profession in a Rapidly Changing World”, the minister said government must convert annual praise for teachers into concrete protection, respect and investment.
“Technology and Artificial Intelligence are changing how knowledge is accessed and used. These tools can help teachers, but the judgement, encouragement and human connection of a skilled teacher remain indispensable,” he said.
Alausa said teachers deserve professional respect, career growth opportunities, appropriate resources, fair recognition and good working conditions.
He credited President Bola Tinubu for making education a central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda and for backing reforms focused on learners and teachers.
According to him, the President’s support is anchored on the belief that a child’s opportunities must not be limited by geography, family income or circumstance.
He said reforms under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, NESRI, are targeting better learning environments, stronger institutions, skills for a changing economy, reliable data for decision-making and sustained teacher welfare and development.
On the PTSEA awards, Alausa said President Tinubu’s association with the awards sends a strong message that teaching excellence deserves the highest national regard.
He congratulated awardees and charged them to sustain professionalism, integrity and innovation, while assuring other teachers that their daily sacrifices are seen and valued.
