President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment process for 3,252 verified Parent-Teacher Association teachers into the Federal Civil Service on Thursday. The decision targeted the persistent shortage of teachers in Federal Unity Colleges and sought to raise education quality.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa disclosed the approval in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.
An inter ministerial committee earlier conducted a comprehensive verification exercise across Federal Unity Colleges. The panel screened eligible PTA teachers and confirmed 3,252 individuals in the cadres of Education Officers, Assistant Education Officers and Technical Instructors.
Alausa stated that priority would go to these verified teachers. Many had served in Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges for almost 25 years. “This is a president who cares deeply for Nigeria and for the future of our country,” Alausa said.
“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 described the development as a major milestone under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the recruitment would improve the teacher to student ratio in the colleges. It would also recognise the dedication of PTA teachers who sustained academic activities despite years of uncertainty.
Furthermore, Alausa explained that integrating the experienced instructors 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.
For years, Federal Unity Colleges relied on PTA teachers paid by parents to fill staffing gaps. Many of these teachers worked for between 10 and 25 years without permanent appointments. They carried the same classroom duties as regular government teachers yet faced job insecurity.
Alausa assured the verified teachers that the regularisation process would proceed with transparency, fairness and due diligence. The ministry would work with relevant agencies to complete remaining statutory requirements in line with public service regulations.
