Teachers across Akwa Ibom State have called for urgent government intervention to address insecurity in schools, improve teachers’ welfare and secure the release of kidnapped students and education workers across Nigeria, as the state government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting schools and improving conditions in the education sector.
The demands were made during a peaceful solidarity protest organized by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State Branch where education stakeholders, labour leaders and government officials gathered to express concern over rising attacks on schools and the abduction of students and teachers in parts of the country.
The event, marked by emotional speeches, solidarity chants and calls for decisive action, focused particularly on the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, which participants described as an attack on the future of Nigeria.
The protesting teachers carried placards with inscriptions such as “An attack on teachers is an attack on education”, “Protect teachers and you protect the future”, “Education cannot thrive under terror”, “Teachers are nation builders, not targets of attack”, “When teachers are safe, the nation is safe”, “A nation that cannot protect its schools has no future”, “An Attack on Teachers is an Attack on Education” among others.
Addressing the gathering, State NUT Chairman, Chairman Edet Emenyi, condemned what the union described as increasing threats to teachers and learners across the country.
Comrade Emenyi lamented that schools, which ought to be centres of learning and hope, were gradually becoming targets of violence and criminality.
“An attack on teachers is an attack on education,” one of the speakers declared.
“Protect teachers and you protect the future. Schools must be safe havens, not crime scenes.”
Comrade Emenyi maintained that insecurity had created fear in classrooms, making it difficult for educators to perform their duties effectively.
“Today, many teachers teach while constantly looking over their shoulders. Education cannot thrive under terror. Teachers need protection, not condolences.”
The NUT State Chairman called on federal and state governments to intensify efforts toward securing schools and ensuring that students and teachers across the country can learn and work without fear.
Among the demands raised, as read out by the Deputy State Chairman, Comrade Michael Udofia, were stronger security measures around schools, accelerated action to rescue kidnapped students and teachers, improved welfare packages, payment of outstanding benefits and greater investment in education.
Speaking during the protest, State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunny James, stressed that the gathering was not merely about solidarity but about defending the dignity of teachers and preserving the future of education.
“We came to identify with teachers who are suffering. We came because classrooms are no longer as safe as they should be.”
Comrade James noted that while Akwa Ibom remains one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states, recent incidents involving violence against teachers and students should not be ignored.
“The time to stop these dangerous trends is now. What begins as isolated incidents can become something much bigger if we fail to act.”
Comrade James recalled reports of attacks on educators and disturbances around examination centres, warning that such incidents represented the early signs of insecurity that must be decisively addressed.
“We must not wait until it becomes a crisis. We must stop it now.”
The labour leader praised teachers for their resilience despite difficult working conditions and described them as the foundation upon which every profession is built.
“The highest office holder in the land was once taught by a teacher. Teachers raised our governors, commissioners, doctors, engineers and professionals. Teachers must be celebrated.”
He emphasized that no teacher should be forced to work under fear.
“A classroom must never become a theatre of war. A teacher holding chalk should not be afraid of what may come through the window.”
Comrade James further urged governments at all levels to deploy modern security technology, including surveillance systems and drones, to strengthen efforts against criminal elements operating in forests and remote locations.
“The time to deploy every available resource to protect lives is now.”
Responding on behalf of the state government, Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh, described the kidnapping of students in Oyo State as a national tragedy and expressed solidarity with affected families.
Dressed in black as a symbol of mourning, the commissioner said the incident was deeply personal to him because he once served as a teacher in Oyo State during his National Youth Service Corps year.
“It is a solemn day. The Oyo tragedy is emotional and personal to me because I served and taught in Oyo State.”
He assured teachers that both federal and state governments were actively working to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu had revitalized the Safe School Initiative and mobilized security agencies to strengthen protection around educational institutions nationwide.
“The President has demonstrated commitment to school safety. Security agencies are working together to ensure schools remain safe spaces for teaching and learning.”
The commissioner also highlighted several educational investments undertaken by the administration of Governor Umo Eno under the ARISE Agenda.
He cited the construction of model schools, payment of examination fees, distribution of educational materials, provision of teachers’ accommodation and the release of counterpart funding for educational development projects.
“Education remains one of the core priorities of this administration. We are not only expanding access but also improving quality.”
Addressing concerns raised about an assault on a vice principal in the State, the commissioner disclosed that the matter had been reported to law enforcement agencies and that the student involved was being tracked.
“We have zero tolerance for violence against teachers. The matter is before security agencies and appropriate action is being taken.”
He also revealed plans to establish a comprehensive electronic database for students and teachers across the country to improve accountability, monitoring and school security.
The commissioner further addressed concerns about teacher shortages, presenting statistics on staffing levels in public schools.
According to him, the state currently has over 352,000 pupils in primary schools and approximately 9,872 teachers, representing a teacher-pupil ratio close to national standards.
He disclosed that Governor Eno had approved the recruitment of 1,000 additional teachers to strengthen classroom delivery and improve educational outcomes.
“We are conscious of the need for more teachers and better welfare. Recruitment is ongoing and we will continue to improve conditions in the sector.”
He also acknowledged concerns regarding rural postings, teacher welfare and retirement benefits, assuring stakeholders that discussions with union leaders were ongoing.
Also speaking, Akwa Ibom State Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters, commended teachers for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the protest and assured them that their concerns would be communicated directly to Governor Umo Eno.
“It is not easy to stand before students every day and teach. Government appreciates the sacrifices teachers make.”
She described Governor Eno as a worker-friendly leader who values educators and understands their role in national development.
“The governor loves teachers and appreciates what they do. He will hear all the demands presented today.”
The Head of Service specifically referenced issues relating to leave grants, promotion arrears and other outstanding benefits, assuring teachers that government was committed to addressing them.
“The list of concerns may be long, but I can assure you that these issues are receiving attention and appropriate steps will be taken.”
As the event concluded, participants renewed calls for stronger collaboration between government, security agencies, communities and education stakeholders to safeguard schools and protect learners.
Speakers repeatedly stressed that education remains the foundation of national development and warned that attacks on schools threaten the future of the country.
“Kidnapping teachers is kidnapping the future,” one speaker said.
Another added: “A nation that cannot protect its schools has no future.”
The protest ended peacefully with prayers for the safe release of abducted students and teachers, renewed commitments to educational development and a collective appeal for sustained efforts to keep Nigerian schools safe.
“When teachers are safe, the nation is safe. When schools are secure, the future is secure.”
By; Ikechukwu Agbamegbue, Uyo.
