Alausa raises alarm over teacher shortage, insecurity in unity colleges
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has revealed that federal unity colleges across the country are facing a shortfall of more than 3,500 teachers, warning that the deficit is undermining the quality of education.
Alausa disclosed this on Thursday while defending the Federal Ministry of Education’s 2026 budget estimates before the joint committee on education of the Senate and House of Representatives.
According to him, the shortage of qualified teachers was hampering efforts to deliver quality education and produce globally competitive graduates, stressing the need for urgent funding to recruit, train and retain competent personnel.
“The shortage of qualified teachers is crippling our efforts to deliver quality education and produce graduates who can compete on the global stage. Our children must learn in safe environments. Security is non-negotiable, and adequate funding is essential to install surveillance systems, construct perimeter fencing, and implement other protective measures,” he said.
Beyond the staffing gap, the minister noted that many federal schools are grappling with insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure and inadequate learning facilities, which he attributed to years of underfunding in the sector.
He also highlighted shortages in classrooms, hostels, laboratories and libraries, pointing to overcrowding and obsolete equipment as major obstacles to effective teaching and learning.
Alausa urged the National Assembly to significantly boost funding for the 2026 education budget and advocated a minimum allocation of 20 per cent to the sector, in line with UNESCO’s recommendation, to reposition education for national development.
The minister further called for increased investment in information and communication technology and the creation of a ring-fenced scholarship account to protect government-sponsored students from funding delays and exchange rate volatility, warning that continued underinvestment would deepen the country’s learning crisis.
