The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to teachers’ welfare, professional growth, and collaboration in the education sector as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Teachers’ Day and the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards. The event, held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, brought together teachers, school administrators, and education stakeholders under the global theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.”

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, in his keynote address, emphasized that a collaborative teacher understands that education is not an individual task but a shared responsibility. He explained that teachers who work together and share lesson plans, teaching strategies, and classroom experiences contribute greatly to improving the education system. “A collaborative teacher freely shares lesson plans, resources, and teaching strategies while remaining humble enough to learn from others,” he said.

Dr. Alausa described teachers as the foundation of human capital development and nation-building, noting that the Ministry has introduced several policies, including the National Teacher Policy, to empower and motivate teachers across the country. He said the Ministry is also leveraging digital platforms to connect teachers across states and promote peer learning. “When teachers collaborate and thrive, children learn better, the education system grows stronger, and the nation is assured of a brighter future,” he added.

The Minister commended all stakeholders for achieving positive milestones in improving teachers’ welfare and urged community leaders, teacher unions, parents, and development partners to continue supporting the Education for Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education.

In her remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, stated that the 2025 celebration aligns with the global movement led by UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF, and Education International to recognize the crucial role of teachers in achieving sustainable development. She highlighted that the Ministry is currently implementing several initiatives such as the National Teacher Development Policy (2022), the Digital Literacy and Skills Framework, and the establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in schools across Nigeria. These initiatives, she said, aim to strengthen collaboration and improve learning outcomes.

“Teaching must evolve from an isolated practice to a collaborative culture built on trust, openness, and shared responsibility,” Prof. Ahmad said. She added that these efforts will raise teacher quality, professional pride, and excellence while attracting more young talents into the profession.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, explained that collaborative teaching has been globally recognized as a powerful tool for improving learning outcomes. He said the Ministry, working with its agencies and state education ministries, is embedding collaboration and continuous professional development into teacher training and classroom practice. He noted that this effort aligns with the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of Teachers, which calls for improved working conditions and support for educators.

In his goodwill message, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba, commended the Federal Government for sustaining the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards, which were first instituted in 2007 to honor deserving teachers and schools. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support for teacher welfare and recognition.

Comrade Amba also urged the Federal Government to revisit the delisting of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) from government funding to strengthen its operations and adequately address challenges facing teachers, especially in unity schools. He cautioned against the privatization of education, warning that such a move could increase inequality and limit access to quality education for many Nigerian children.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding educators and institutions across the country. Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, was named the 2025 Best Education Governor for his recruitment of over 7,000 teachers and the implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage for teachers in his state. Other honourees included Governors Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State for their notable contributions to improving education at the state level.

Mr. Solanke Francis Taiwo of Ansar-Ud-Deen Main School, Kemta–Abeokuta, Ogun State, received the award for Best Teacher and was presented with a brand-new car. Woliwo Primary School, Onitsha, Anambra State, and Onike Girls Junior High School, Lagos, were recognized as Best Primary and Best Secondary Schools, respectively, each receiving a school bus. Mrs. Odenike Fausat Mobolaji of Elepe Community Junior High School, Ikorodu, Lagos, emerged as the Best School Leader, winning a ₦3.5 million cash prize.

The 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration reaffirmed the Federal Government’s strong resolve to enhance teachers’ welfare, promote collaboration, and reward excellence. The event underscored the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that teachers are motivated, supported, and empowered to deliver quality education that meets global standards.

Governor Umo Eno approves ₦27,000 pension increase for Akwa Ibom State retirees, effective September 1, 2025

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, has approved a pension increment of ₦27,000 for all retirees in the State Public Service. The approval takes effect from September 1, 2025, following the conclusion of the verification exercise for pensioners and the implementation of the new minimum wage of ₦80,000.

According to the statement titled “Approval of ₦27,000.00 Pension Increment to Pensioners in Akwa Ibom State Public Service,” the decision reflects the state government’s effort to align pension payments with the new wage structure and ensure that retirees benefit from improved living conditions.

“It would be recalled that His Excellency, the Governor had earlier approved a flat rate increase of ₦15,000.00 for pensioners who retired between 2007 and 2011, and ₦20,000.00 for those who retired before 2007, with effect from 1st April, 2024,” the release stated. The Governor had also been releasing funds monthly to offset the over ₦90 billion in inherited gratuities owed to retirees in the state.

“These approvals by His Excellency, therefore, are to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to improve on the welfare of pensioners in the entire Public Service of Akwa Ibom State,” the statement added.

The increment is expected to boost retirees’ income and improve their financial stability across the state.

A new circular reportedly circulating online from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has outlined the details for the conduct of the 2025 Promotion Examination for civil servants across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The circular, dated October 3, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, was addressed to top federal government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission.

According to the document titled “CONDUCT OF 2025 PROMOTION EXAMINATION FOR OFFICERS ON GRADE LEVELS 06–13 UNDER THE COMMON POOL OF THE HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION,” the process has already commenced. The circular stated that MDAs are to forward Vacancy Returns, PMS/APER Scores, and Eligibility Lists of Officers “duly completed on the attached Template OHCSF-EMD (2025).”

The circular further explained that the field of selection is open to officers who have reached the required maturity on their posts as of January 1, 2025. It noted that “Officers on SGL 06 must have spent a minimum of two (2) years on the post by 1st January 2025, meaning their last promotion must have occurred on or before 1 January 2023.”

For officers between Grade Levels 07 and 13, the circular stated that “a minimum of three (3) years on the post by 1st January 2025” is required, which implies the last promotion should have been on or before January 1, 2022. It added that “only officers who meet these requirements and are not under any disciplinary action shall be eligible for the exercise.”

The 2025 promotion exercise, according to the circular, covers various pool cadres. These include Administrative Officers, Computer Engineers, Confidential Secretaries, Data Processing Officers, Executive Officers, Education Officers (OHCSF), Librarians, Library Officers, Planning Officers, Programme Analysts, Statistical Officers, Statisticians, Procurement Officers, Store Verifiers, and Store Officers.

The circular also provided clear instructions to MDAs on how to prepare their returns. It directed that “all particulars should be entered in capital letters only,” while “surnames should come first, followed by first and other names.” Dates, the circular added, must follow the “dd/mm/yyyy” format.

It further stated that “the state or location of each staff must be clearly indicated (e.g., Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Calabar, Bauchi, Enugu).” MDAs are also required to “clearly indicate officers currently on study leave, with or without pay, or on leave of absence, stating the effective date and expected date of resumption.”

The circular cautioned that “names shall not be added to the seniority list at accreditation venues,” and emphasized that “any officer not presented on the MDA’s final submissions shall not be accredited for the examinations.” It warned that “any submissions not in line with the above specifications shall not be processed.”

To ensure proper validation, it explained that all submissions will be checked against Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) records. The statement added that “any discrepancies noticed will be referred back to the MDA concerned,” and stressed that “submissions received after the deadline, or containing ineligible officers, shall not be entertained.”

For the format of submissions, the circular directed that “all returns must be made in Excel format, both soft and hard copies,” and must be “authenticated by the Director (Admin/HRM) of the relevant MDA.” It added that “submissions should reach the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office (CMO), on or before Friday, 17th October 2025.”

The circular concluded with an instruction to treat the matter as urgent. “Please treat as urgent and bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned officers,” the Permanent Secretary stated.

Although the authenticity of the document circulating on social media platforms, especially Facebook, has not been officially confirmed by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the information has sparked interest among federal civil servants who are due for promotion.