By Our Reporter.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State Wing, has expressed deep concern over the worsening shortage of teachers across public primary and secondary schools in the state, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to the education sector.
In a solidarity letter dated September 11, 2025, addressed to the Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom Council, Comrade Sunny James, the NUT lamented the inadequate number of teachers available to cater to the growing student population across the state’s schools.
The letter, titled “Before the Darkness Falls” and signed by the State Secretary of the NUT, Comrade Sam Umo-Inyang, highlighted the union’s support for the NLC’s efforts to uphold the rights and welfare of workers in the state, including those of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASSAN).
Referencing a 2020 report, the union stated that a total of 23,856 teaching vacancies existed in public schools at that time including 7,527 in secondary schools, 400 in technical schools, and 15,929 in primary schools. The NUT noted that these figures have significantly increased due to retirements and deaths of teachers. Between 2020 and April 2025 alone, 274 teachers reportedly passed away, creating even more vacancies.
The union painted a grim picture of the current situation in several schools. For instance, Community Primary School, Ikot Ukwa in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, which has a pupil population of 1,130, is being handled by only three teachers. The same applies to St. Paul Catholic School, Minya/Ikot Udo. Across Mkpat Enin LGA, no primary school reportedly has more than eight teachers.
Similarly, Lutheran School, Itak Ikot Akap in Ikono LGA, with 1,276 pupils, is left with only three teachers. At PCN School, Mbiabet Ikpe, 1,862 pupils are being taught by just four teachers.
The NUT criticized the state government’s recent approval of only 1,000 new teachers for the post-primary school sector, calling it a “drop in the ocean” compared to the scale of the need. The union also pointed out that no attention has been given to primary schools, where the shortage is most severe.
The union referenced Abia State, where 5,393 teachers were recently recruited, urging the Akwa Ibom government to emulate such efforts to revive the education sector.
The NUT’s letter comes at a time when other labour unions including the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), and the Joint Council Public Service (JCPS) have pulled out of a suspended industrial action led by the NLC. The strike was intended to push for the implementation of a 32% pension arrears agreement for retirees starting from November 2024.
Describing the withdrawal of some unions as an “anti-labour activity” and “a clear act of betrayal,” the NUT questioned the commitment of some leaders who distanced themselves from collective decisions within 24 hours.
“As union leaders, we are responsible to our members and cannot remain silent when their welfare is being neglected,” the NUT wrote. “This burden is more on your head as the leader of our labour centre and fulcrum of hope for workers in the state.”
The union warned that the government cannot ignore its responsibility to recruit sufficient qualified teachers, stressing that teachers are the first line of service providers in the education system
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