School owners, education leaders, and stakeholders across Nigeria are mobilising 60,000 teachers for the upcoming “Let There Be Teachers” Conference, a gathering aimed at addressing longstanding challenges in the nation’s education sector.
Speaking at a strategic planning session on Wednesday, Mr Luyi Armstrong, General Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, said the meeting brought together members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other key players to finalise plans for what could become a Guinness World Record event.
The conference is scheduled to be held on September 20, 2025, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
“This is a precursor to the event coming up next Saturday. We are excited that, for the first time in our country’s history, teachers will gather on such a scale to discuss their challenges and celebrate their contributions. All teachers are encouraged to attend,” Armstrong said.
The conference is intended not only as a record-setting gathering but also as a platform to highlight systemic issues in Nigerian education.
These include inadequate funding, poor teacher remuneration, overcrowded classrooms, limited access to professional development, and underutilisation of technology in teaching.
Oluwaseyi Anifowose, the conference convener and education advocate, emphasised the importance of collaboration between school owners, teachers, and education stakeholders in advancing the sector.
“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,” Anifowose said.
Dr. Hakeem Subair, co-founder of 1 Million Teachers (1MT), called for greater societal recognition of teachers’ contributions.
“It is time for society to pay more attention to teachers’ issues. Teachers play a remarkable role in shaping society and building harmony,” he said.
The strategy session also included contributions from education experts such as Ronke Posh Adeniyi, Rizma Butt, Rotimi Eyitayo, Rhoda Odigboh, and Prof. Akin Akinpelu, who offered insights on school innovation, leadership, and sustainability.
Organisers said the conference would provide solutions to learning poverty, promote technology-driven teaching, strengthen teacher training programs, and foster partnerships across Nigerian states to improve learning outcomes for millions of children.
The event is expected to spotlight the critical role of teachers in national development while providing a platform for dialogue and actionable strategies aimed at transforming Nigeria’s education system.
