By: TUNDE BOLAJI MINNA.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has clarified that his administration’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector, just as he commended stakeholders for their contributions to the ongoing transformation.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, spoke when he declared open a three-day teachers’ training workshop held at the Education Resource Centre in Minna.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Teaching Excellence, Promoting Inclusive Early Childhood Education, and Fostering Sustainable School Leadership,” brought together educators and policymakers from across the state.
Governor Bago acknowledged the poor state of school infrastructure inherited by his administration and assured participants that rehabilitation plans were underway.
He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive teaching environment and improving teacher welfare, stating that there is nothing wrong with teachers receiving the best salaries in the country.
However, he called for a national salary template to ensure consistent and adequate remuneration for educators across Nigeria.
The Governor also urged teachers to maintain active registration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), stressing that professional recognition depends on compliance.
He praised the collaboration among key stakeholders, including former Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Mohammed; NUT Chairman, Comrade Adamu Mohammed Akayago; and Director General of School and Education Reforms, Hajiya Maimuna Mohammed. Dr. Hadiza Mohammed described the training as a strategic component of the Governor’s “New Niger Agenda,” aimed at equipping teachers across all 25 local government areas with inclusive and modern teaching methodologies.
She emphasized the role of teachers as pivotal change agents in society.
Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris, echoed the Governor’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of well-trained and motivated teachers in delivering quality education, especially in underserved communities.
He revealed that legislation to extend teachers’ service years by five years was already in motion and expressed optimism about its passage.
Earlier, Dr. Hussaini Usman, Executive Director of the Niger State Teacher Professional Development Institute (NSTPDI), underscored the workshop’s goal of enhancing teacher capacity, leadership, and inclusivity in early childhood education.
He urged participants to apply their newly acquired skills in their classrooms, stating that no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers.
