‘One Million Teachers Tackle Nigeria’s Education Crisis, Honour 60,000 Educators

Funmi Ogundare

As Nigeria continues to grapple with a growing education crisis, Director of Strategic Partnerships of ‘One Million Teachers’, an organisation committed to empowering teachers globally, Oluwaseyi Anifowoshe, yesterday, called for urgent collaborative action to tackle the systemic challenges plaguing the teaching profession, particularly teacher retention, motivation and infrastructure decay.

Anifowoshe made this call at a press conference in Lagos, to announce the ‘ Let There be Teachers’ Conference, an Initiative which aims to celebrate about 60,000 teachers in the country and spotlight key education issues.

The event which is scheduled to hold at Tafawa Balewa Square on September 20, 2025, also has the objective of breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of teachers in one location.

Anifowoshe emphasised on the critical issues plaguing the teaching profession saying that they cannot be solved in a day.

According to him, “we must begin with intentional engagement, this conference is that platform. We’re not here to just highlight problems, but to search for lasting, practical solutions.”

He stated that the forum is not just for educators but is designed to bring key players to the table, including government agencies, policymakers, and education advocates.

“We’ve seen that many of these problems like poor teacher welfare and lack of infrastructure, are deeply tied to policy and its implementation,” he explained.

“So, this platform is meant for engagement. How do we get government and stakeholders to truly act?”

Anifowoshe who is also the convener of the initiative noted that beyond convening the dialogue, One Million Teachers is taking concrete steps to address gaps in teacher training and support.

“One Million Teachers has provided free scholarships and training programs for teachers to help them build capacity and improve their impact in the classroom.

“We’re not just talking,” he said. “We’re acting. We have offered free training for educators across Nigeria. But that’s just one part, we need long-term solutions driven by policy and support systems.”

Rooted in the belief that “no educational system may rise above the quality of its teachers,” the event, the director stated, underscores the urgent need to empower and celebrate educators, not just in Nigeria, but across the African continent.

“This is not just about breaking records,” Anifowose emphasised. “It’s about breaking barriers. Challenging the status quo. And sending a powerful message to the world: Let there be teachers!”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of One Million Teachers, Prof. Akin Subair noted that beyond the gathering, the conference will be an opportunity for teachers to stand tall.

In her remarks, the Head of Growth Edusko Incorporation, Sola Adeola, described the event as a celebration of the transformative power of teachers; of those who lead, inspire, and innovate beyond the four walls of a classroom.

Drawing from her own experience transitioning from the classroom to the boardroom, Adeola, a panelist for the conference, emphasised the evolving identity of educators as leaders and changemakers.

“Teaching today is about leadership, innovation, and shaping the future,” she said. “This conference embodies that evolution.”

She also described the gathering as ‘a call to action’, a movement to reignite passion among teachers and to reaffirm education as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s future.

“In the words of our theme, ‘Teachers Matter: Celebrating the Role of Teachers in Enhancing Quality Education’, this is our moment to learn, to grow, and to lead,” the head of growth stated.

Endorsed by the Lagos State Government and supported by educational associations including NUT, APEN, NAPPS, and AFED, the ‘Let There Be Teachers’ conference will bring together educators from both public and private sectors.

It will feature keynote addresses by the Minister of Education and international education leaders, alongside panel discussions, exhibitions, an awards ceremony, cultural showcases, and the graduation of the 1MT Blackbelt teacher cohort.