The Save Public Education Campaign (SPEC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the deteriorating state of public education in Nigeria, demanding improved teacher welfare, heightened security in schools, and greater transparency in educational funding.

In a press statement issued on Monday to mark World Teachers’ Day 2026, the group’s Co-Coordinator, Comrade Dimeji Macaulay, highlighted the growing challenges facing Nigerian educators and academic institutions.

Macaulay noted that this year’s commemoration coincides with the 60th anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, centered on the global theme “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.”

“No education system can progress when teachers are poorly paid, inadequately supported or forced to work in unsafe environments,” Macaulay stated, emphasizing that Nigerian teachers deserve decent wages, prompt salary payments, professional development opportunities, and safe working conditions.

Addressing the worsening insecurity across the country, the group urged authorities to provide effective protection for vulnerable schools to shield teachers and students from attacks and kidnapping.

SPEC also expressed concern over declining public investment in the sector, citing a September 2026 UNICEF report which showed that government expenditure on education dropped from 9.3% of total spending in 2015 to 3.6% in 2023—well below the international benchmark of 15% to 20%.

Beyond primary and secondary education, the civil society group pointed to systemic neglect in key intellectual institutions, specifically calling attention to the National Library of Nigeria.

While acknowledging the institution’s ongoing efforts in digitization and the development of the National Virtual Library, Macaulay called for a transparent public assessment and independent review of the National Library’s performance, funding, and procurement under the leadership of its National Librarian and CEO, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi.

“We make this demand in the public interest—not as a personal attack,” Macaulay clarified. “The National Library belongs to the Nigerian people, and its management must therefore be subject to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.”

The campaign group reiterated its call for a broad, democratic movement among teachers, parents, students, and workers to defend public education, advocating for stronger financial controls, independent audits, and increased funding across all levels of government.

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