The Nigerian Government has set up plans to recruit 3,500 new teaching staff members for Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
The announcement was made by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education, at the National Stakeholders’ Forum on Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria, a two-day event held to address key issues in the sector.
Dr. Sununu stated that the recruitment would enhance the quality of education and ensure a more equitable distribution of teaching resources across the country’s Federal Unity Colleges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the recruitment of these teachers would significantly improve the quality of education.
The forum’s theme is “Revitalising Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria for Global Competitiveness.”
The minister assured that the ministry is working closely with the Office of the Head of Service, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and other relevant agencies to recruit 3,500 new teaching staff for federal government colleges across the country.
He said the effort aims to enhance educational quality. Additionally, extensive training and retraining programmes for school staff have been organised.
Sununu also noted that over 1,000 staff members have been trained in technology application in education through the ministry’s research resource center.
According to him, more than 53 vocational skills acquisition centers have been established to address the skills needs of young people, in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
He added that approval has been granted to build an additional 50 model schools nationwide to improve teaching and learning.
“The revitalisation of Senior Secondary Education to meet global standards requires strategic actions that optimise the system. Today represents a significant step in our efforts to enhance the quality of education for our young learners.
“Senior Secondary Education is a crucial phase that shapes the future of our students and, by extension, our nation. This underscores our commitment to ensuring that our education system is robust, dynamic, and globally competitive,” he stated.
Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, called for a comprehensive overhaul of the senior secondary curriculum to enhance global competitiveness.
Represented by Rep. Mark Usani, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Abbas highlighted challenges in senior secondary education, including a shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate funding, and insufficient infrastructure.
Dr. Iyela Ajayi, Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), emphasised the need for stakeholders to actively engage with and implement the national policy on senior secondary education and its guidelines.