FG to recruit 3,500 teachers for unity colleges nationwide

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to recruit 3,500 teaching staff for Federal Unity Colleges across the country.

This initiative was revealed by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, during the National Stakeholders’ Forum on Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria.

The two-day event focused on tackling the challenges facing the secondary education sector.

The recruitment drive aims to strengthen the teaching workforce in Unity Colleges, ensuring that these institutions continue to deliver quality education.

The forum, themed “Revitalising Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria for Global Competitiveness,” brought together various education stakeholders to discuss the future of senior secondary education in the nation. Dr. Sununu emphasized that the recruitment of additional teachers is a significant step towards improving the quality of education in Federal Government Colleges.

“The Ministry is working in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and other relevant government bodies to recruit 3,500 teaching staff for our federal government colleges nationwide. This initiative will enhance the quality of education,” Sununu said. He also highlighted the ministry’s efforts to organize comprehensive training and retraining programs for all staff in schools.

Further, Dr. Sununu noted that the ministry had already trained over 1,000 staff members in the application of technology in education through its research resource center. To support the skills development of young people, more than 53 vocational skills acquisition centers have been established, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda. Additionally, the government has approved the construction of 50 new model schools across the country to further enhance teaching and learning.

“Revitalising the Senior Secondary Education sub-sector to meet global demands requires key actions that optimize the system,” Sununu stated. “Today marks a significant step in our journey to enhance the quality of education for our young learners. Senior Secondary Education is a critical phase, shaping the future of our learners and, by extension, our nation. This underscores our efforts in ensuring that our education system is robust, dynamic, and capable of meeting global standards.”

Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, called for a comprehensive overhaul of the senior secondary curriculum to ensure it meets global competitiveness. Represented by Rep. Mark Usani, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Abbas pointed out the pressing challenges facing senior secondary education, including a lack of qualified teachers, insufficient funding, and inadequate infrastructure.

Dr. Iyela Ajayi, Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), stressed the importance of stakeholder ownership of the national policy on senior secondary education and its implementation guidelines. This collaborative approach is deemed essential for the successful transformation of the sector and the achievement of global educational standards.