The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, in the FCT have asked the FCT Administration to provide subsidised housing for teachers, saying high rents are forcing some educators to commute from neighbouring states and others to sleep in classrooms.
FCT ASUSS Chairman, Julius Ogundiran, made the call on Monday in Abuja at the joint national celebration of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
Ogundiran said the housing challenge had become a major concern for teachers despite the prompt payment of salaries by the FCT Administration and ongoing efforts to transform the education sector under Minister Nyesom Wike.
“Most of our colleagues, even in Garki here, are coming from Suleja or Abaji, and some are even sleeping in classrooms because they can’t afford houses in town,” he said.
He called on the FCT Administration to construct housing estates for teachers or provide subsidised land across the six area councils to ease the burden of accommodation.
“If they can provide housing estates for teachers, we will be more motivated and well-equipped to perform our duties,” he said.
Ogundiran said better welfare for teachers would translate into a stronger education system and, ultimately, a stronger nation.
“If the government stands with the teachers, the teachers will be strong. If the teachers are strong, education will be strong. If education is strong, the nation will be strong.
“We have been hearing that the reward of teachers is in heaven. We don’t have to go to heaven before we start carrying our reward—let us enjoy it now,” the chairman said.
He added, “We are not politicians; we don’t have any other revenue that we are collecting from students,” stressing the need for government support to improve teachers’ living conditions.
Also speaking, a teacher at Junior Secondary School, Tungan Maje, Mrs Grace Philip, said teachers continued to feel neglected in the country.
“In everything they are doing in this country, teachers always come last,” she said.
Philip also raised concerns over delays in the FCT teacher promotion structure and appealed to authorities to address issues affecting teachers at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, said the Federal Government remained committed to teacher welfare, professional training and education funding.
Bagudu, who was represented by an official in the ministry, Mrs Kikelomo Ogundele, described investment in teachers as “an indispensable investment in Nigeria’s future”.
He said no structural or policy reform in education could succeed without well-trained, motivated and adequately supported teachers.
“They do far more than transmit knowledge; they shape characters, nurture talents, inspire ambition, and prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to society,” Bagudu said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Oluwaseun Falaye, Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), called on leaders in educational institutions and workplaces to uphold ethical conduct, transparency and accountability.
Falaye, who was represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Mr Samaila Abdul, said teachers played a central role in nation-building.
“Teachers do far more than impart knowledge. They shape character, inspire values, nurture potentials, and prepare future generations to contribute meaningfully to society,” Falaye stated.
He said effective leadership required more than formal authority or technical competence, stressing the importance of integrity, accountability, fairness and responsibility.
“Effective leadership is not defined solely by authority, position, or technical competence. It is strengthened by integrity, accountability, fairness, responsibility, discipline, and a positive attitude towards service and duty,” he noted.
