President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 3,252 verified Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers into the Federal Civil Service in a move aimed at addressing teacher shortages in Federal Unity Colleges and improving the quality of education nationwide.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.
Alausa said the recruitment will give priority to verified PTA teachers who have spent years teaching in Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges without permanent appointments.
He noted that some of the teachers have served for almost 25 years, adding that the approval will enable them to become permanent members of the Federal Civil Service.
According to the minister, the decision underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector, enhancing the quality of teaching and recognising the dedication of PTA teachers who have supported learning in federal schools over the years.
Describing the approval as one of the Tinubu administration’s most significant interventions in the education sector, Alausa said it would strengthen the teaching workforce while rewarding thousands of PTA teachers for their years of service.
> “This is a president who cares deeply for Nigeria and for the future of our country.
> “The president has approved the recruitment of teachers. Priority will be given to absorbing verified PTA teachers, many of whom have served in our Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges for almost 25 years. This approval provides them with the opportunity to become part of the mainstream public service,” the minister said.
He explained that the recruitment followed a comprehensive verification exercise carried out by an inter-ministerial committee, which screened eligible PTA teachers across Federal Unity Colleges.
The minister disclosed that the exercise verified “3,252 teachers across the cadres of Education Officers, Assistant Education Officers and Technical Instructors, paving the way for their regularisation upon completion of all statutory requirements.”
Alausa described the exercise as a milestone under the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying it would improve the teacher-to-student ratio in Federal Unity Colleges while recognising the commitment of teachers who had continued to serve despite years of uncertainty.
He added that bringing experienced PTA teachers into the federal public service would preserve institutional knowledge, strengthen classroom instruction and improve learning outcomes.
> “The recruitment forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve teacher quality and reposition the colleges as centres of academic excellence,” he said.
The minister stated that the Ministry of Education would continue working with relevant government agencies to complete the remaining statutory procedures required before the final recruitment approval is issued in line with public service regulations.
Expressing appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the exercise, Alausa said the decision reflected the administration’s determination to make education a priority for national development.
> “Investing in teachers is fundamental to building a stronger education system, as no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers,” he said.
He assured all verified PTA teachers that the regularisation process would be carried out with transparency, fairness and due diligence.
The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing policies that strengthen the teaching profession, improve learning outcomes and ensure students in Federal Unity Colleges receive quality education from qualified and dedicated teachers.
For several years, Federal Unity Colleges have depended on PTA teachers employed and paid by Parent-Teacher Associations to address persistent staffing shortages caused by inadequate recruitment into the federal teaching service. Many of these teachers have spent between 10 and 25 years in the classrooms without permanent appointments, despite performing the same duties as government-employed teachers.
Over the years, affected teachers and education stakeholders have repeatedly appealed to successive administrations to regularise their appointments, arguing that continued reliance on PTA-funded staff imposed financial pressure on parents while leaving thousands of qualified teachers in insecure employment.
