The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), FCT Chapter, has called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration to establish a housing scheme for teachers to ease the burden of high accommodation costs.
The Chairman of ASUSS in the FCT, Mr Julius Ogundiran, made the call in Abuja on Monday at the joint national celebration of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
Ogundiran said the high cost of accommodation had forced some teachers to commute long distances from neighbouring states, while others had resorted to sleeping in school premises.
He said improved teacher welfare was essential to strengthening the education sector and promoting national development.
“If the government stands with the teachers, the teachers will be strong. If the teachers are strong, education will be strong. If education is strong, the nation will be strong.
“We have been hearing that the reward of teachers is in heaven. We don’t have to go to heaven before we start enjoying our reward; let us enjoy it now,” he said.
While acknowledging the prompt payment of teachers’ salaries by the FCT Administration, Ogundiran said the shortage of affordable housing remained a major challenge for many educators in the territory.
“Most of our colleagues, even in Garki here, are coming from Suleja or Abaji, and some are even sleeping in classrooms because they cannot afford houses in town,” he said.
To address the challenge, Ogundiran urged the FCT Administration to develop dedicated housing estates for teachers or provide subsidised land across the six Area Councils.
He said access to affordable housing would improve teachers’ welfare and enable them to perform their duties more effectively.
“We are not politicians; we don’t have any other revenue that we are collecting from students.
“If they can provide housing estates for teachers, we will be more motivated and well-equipped to perform our duties,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Grace Philip, a teacher at Junior Secondary School, Tungan Maje, expressed concern about what she described as the marginalisation of teachers in the country.
“In everything they are doing in this country, teachers always come last,” she said.
Philip also raised concerns about delays in the promotion of teachers in the FCT, urging authorities to consider the views of educators when formulating policies affecting the profession.
In his remarks, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to teacher welfare, professional development and increased investment in education.
Bagudu, who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Kikelomo Ogundele, described investment in teachers as essential to Nigeria’s future.
He said reforms in the education sector could not succeed without well-trained, motivated and adequately supported teachers.
The minister noted that teachers played a critical role in developing human capital and supporting the growth of various sectors of the economy.
“They do far more than transmit knowledge; they shape character, nurture talent, inspire ambition and prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to society,” Bagudu said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Oluwaseun Falaye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), called on educational institutions and workplaces to promote ethical conduct, transparency and accountability in leadership.
Falaye, who was represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Mr Samaila Abdul, said teachers played a significant role in nation-building beyond classroom instruction.
He said effective leadership required integrity, accountability, fairness, discipline and a strong commitment to public service.
“Effective leadership is not defined solely by authority, position or technical competence. It is strengthened by integrity, accountability, fairness, responsibility, discipline and a positive attitude towards service and duty,” he said.
