The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union has called on the Federal Government and state governments to ensure the full and timely implementation of the 2026 renegotiated agreement, particularly provisions covering lecturers’ allowances, welfare and career progression.
The union also urged authorities to ensure that the dual mandate policy, which allows eligible colleges of education to run both the Nigeria Certificate in Education and approved degree programmes, is implemented with adequate funding, staffing, facilities and clear academic guidelines.
The National President of COEASU, Dr Ahmed Lawan Waziri, made the call on Wednesday during the union’s 2026 Teachers’ Day celebration at the Ukeje Hall, National Commission for Colleges of Education headquarters, Abuja.
Waziri said the benefits of the renegotiated agreement would only be realised when its provisions translated into tangible improvements in lecturers’ working conditions.
“The value of an agreement is realised when its provisions improve the working lives of those it covers,” he said, urging the relevant authorities to mainstream agreed allowances into lecturers’ monthly emoluments and implement the seven-rung academic career structure.
He commended President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and other officials for their contributions to the renegotiation process and the advancement of teacher education.
The COEASU president also appealed to state governments and the management of state-owned colleges of education to give the agreement the attention it deserved, stressing that lecturers in state institutions played equally important roles in preparing teachers for the country.
Waziri said the union remained committed to constructive engagement with government and institutional management to address challenges affecting colleges of education while protecting academic standards.
The celebration, held after the official World Teachers’ Day on October 5, had as its theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping Our Futures.”
Representing Alausa, the Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Dr Angela Ajala, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening teacher education and improving the professional capacity of teachers.
Ajala said the government was implementing reforms aimed at producing qualified, competent and professionally grounded teachers, noting that the changing nature of education required educators to continually update their knowledge and skills.
She said digital technology, artificial intelligence, inclusive education and emerging social challenges were transforming classrooms, making continuous professional development increasingly important.
According to her, the government is pursuing teacher professionalisation initiatives, including an accelerated pathway towards professional certification and licensing for eligible non-professional teachers already engaged in teaching.
“The duty is clear. A teacher must never be left behind by the very changes he or she seeks to teach,” she said.
Ajala explained that the dual mandate policy was designed to expand access to quality teacher education by enabling eligible colleges to offer NCE and approved degree programmes, subject to relevant accreditation requirements.
She commended COEASU for its contribution to teacher education and urged the union to sustain constructive engagement, research and professional development as tools for strengthening the education system.
The NCCE executive secretary also highlighted the significance of the scholarships awarded to outstanding NCE students from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, describing the initiative as an investment in the future of the teaching profession.
She urged the beneficiaries to uphold professional ethics, embrace innovation and maintain high standards in their academic and professional pursuits.
The event also featured the unveiling of the maiden edition of COEASU’s academic journal, an initiative Ajala said would promote scholarly research, professional exchange and evidence-based education policies.
She encouraged the union to sustain the publication and ensure that it became a credible platform for research capable of informing reforms in teacher education.
The COEASU president, meanwhile, congratulated the scholarship recipients and commended the lecturers, families and institutions that supported their academic achievements.
He said the scholarships demonstrated the union’s commitment to recognising and encouraging excellence among future teachers.
Waziri also announced service awards for individuals who had contributed to the development of the union and the education sector.
Those recognised included Dr Emmanuel Asagha, Hon. Justice Mohammed Suliamon Ambursa and Dr Gani Azeez, who were scheduled to receive Distinguished Service Awards, while Dr Ali Adamu was to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
He urged teachers to remain committed to sound teaching, fair assessment, responsible scholarship and the welfare of their students, even as they continued to advocate improved working conditions.
World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5 to recognise teachers’ contributions to education and highlight issues affecting their professional status, working conditions and development. The 2026 observance marks 60 years since the adoption of the 1966 International Labour Organisation and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, an international framework addressing teachers’ rights, responsibilities, preparation and employment conditions.