Education Advocate Proposes Higher Qualifications and Better Pay for Nigerian Teachers 

Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare and education development advocate

Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare and education development advocate, has called for major reforms in Nigeria’s education system. He proposes that the minimum qualification to become a teacher should be a master’s degree, with at least a second-class upper division (2:1) in the first degree. Onyia believes that teaching should be a respected profession with high academic standards, like countries like Finland, where all primary and secondary teachers hold master’s degrees. 

Improved Salary and Benefits 

Onyia also suggests increasing the starting monthly salary for teachers to ₦400,000, up from his earlier proposed ₦300,000. Alongside this, he recommends providing teachers with brand-new cars, which can gradually pay off. He emphasizes that well-paid, highly qualified teachers will better train future generations and significantly improve Nigeria’s education quality. 

Continuous Training and Licensing 

To maintain high teaching standards, Onyia proposes a mandatory biannual license renewal for teachers. This would require ongoing training and passing certification exams to ensure teachers stay updated with the latest teaching methods. 

Mixed Public Reactions 

The proposal has sparked various opinions online. Some, like Ikenna, argue that a bachelor’s degree is enough to teach at primary and secondary levels and that the quality of teaching matters more than the degree of class. Others, like Mikail, believe raising standards could lead to many schools closing but might help eliminate poor-quality institutions. 

J. Opara supports higher standards but suggests flexibility — recommending a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGD) for those without education degrees. He also advocates for additional benefits like mortgage loans, subsidized healthcare, and foreign training tied to service commitments. 

Others stress practical teaching skills over academic certificates. Kolawole says, “Minimum requirement should be a proven ability to actually impart knowledge… not just good BSc and PG grades.” Concerns were raised about how the reforms would affect rural areas, with some fearing it could make education less accessible. 

“Being a teacher should be something of great pride, and the academic standards should be very high.” — Alex Onyia 

Alex Onyia’s call for better qualifications and improved pay aims to transform Nigeria’s education sector. While challenges like accessibility and practical skills need addressing, raising standards and supporting teachers financially can help improve education quality nationwide. For Nigeria to nurture future generations effectively, investing in teachers is essential.