Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has described teachers as the architects of Nigeria’s future, urging sustained investment in their welfare, professional development and working conditions.
Dafinone made the call in a message marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on October 5.
This year’s celebration marked 60 years since the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers and was held under the theme, “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.”
The senator said teachers occupy a critical position in nation-building because their responsibilities extend beyond classroom instruction to character formation, inspiring ambition and equipping young people with the values and skills needed to confront future challenges.
According to him, “No nation can rise above the quality of its education, and at the heart of every successful education system are teachers whose knowledge, sacrifice and dedication shape generations.”
Dafinone noted that classrooms serve as environments where dreams are nurtured and the foundations for responsible citizenship and national development are established.
He added that the influence of teachers could be traced through virtually every sector of society, saying, “Behind every accomplished professional, entrepreneur, public servant and leader is the influence of a teacher.”
The Delta Central lawmaker therefore called for greater attention to the welfare and dignity of teachers, stressing that investment in the profession should be viewed as an investment in the country’s future.
“We must therefore recognise that investing in the welfare, capacity and dignity of our teachers is not merely an investment in education; it is an investment in Nigeria’s future,” he said.
Dafinone urged governments and other stakeholders to address challenges confronting the profession through improved working conditions, appropriate remuneration, continuous professional development and access to modern teaching tools.
He also called for an enabling environment that would allow teachers to perform their duties effectively and give every child the opportunity to benefit from quality education.
The senator particularly saluted teachers across Delta Central, noting their resilience and commitment despite difficult circumstances.
“To every teacher across Delta Central, particularly those serving with dedication despite difficult circumstances, I salute your resilience and commitment,” he said.
He wished teachers across the district and Nigeria a happy World Teachers’ Day, expressing hope that the lives they shape today would translate into stronger leadership, greater prosperity and a better future for the country.
UNESCO’s 2026 observance similarly emphasised the need to strengthen the status of teachers and ensure they are properly supported, while new global data indicated that the world will need an additional 50 million teachers by 2030.
