In private schools, some teachers earn as little as ₦20,000 a month—far below Nigeria’s official minimum wage of ₦70,000. Even in public schools, certain state governments have excluded teachers from the revised wage structure, leaving qualified educators with degrees or NCE certificates earning less than the legal standard.
With inflation driving up the cost of living, many have abandoned teaching altogether, seeking better-paying jobs in companies and other sectors. Those who stay, often out of passion for the profession, resort to selling snacks like biscuits, groundnuts, and sweets in their classrooms to supplement their income. Others take on extra lessons or part-time teaching gigs, stretching their already exhausting schedules.
One teacher, David Ogbebor, shared his frustration: "Our salaries can’t even cover a fraction of our needs. Now, my school wants to deduct taxes from my ₦35,000 paycheck—which is already below the minimum wage. I’ve had to start a tailoring business just to keep up with expenses."
The ₦70,000 minimum wage, introduced in July 2024 after negotiations between the government and labor unions, was meant to ease financial strain. But it only applies to organizations with 25 or more employees, leaving many teachers in smaller schools unprotected.
Lilian Osakpamwan, a former teacher, recounted her ordeal: "I taught three subjects in a private school, but they refused to pay me all year. The proprietor would insult staff whenever salaries were delayed. My love for teaching died—I had to leave for a job that actually pays."
Judith Uweni, a former teacher turned POS agent, echoed the sentiment: "When my school demanded my BVN for tax deductions, I was furious. How do you tax someone earning ₦30,000 a month? I borrowed money to start this business because teaching felt like slavery."
Even National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members are feeling the strain. One anonymous corper admitted: "My school has no real teachers—just corps members handling all classes. The workload is unbearable, and the pay is nothing. If salaries were better, more people would stay."
The crisis highlights a grim reality: teachers, the backbone of education, are being pushed to the brink. Without fair wages, the system risks losing its most dedicated professionals—and the consequences for Nigeria’s future could be dire.
