Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar marks Teachers’ Day by thanking Nigerian teachers while criticising President Bola Tinubu’s leadership over what he says is worsening hardship for educators.
In statements reported by multiple outlets, Atiku says the rising cost of living is stretching teachers’ incomes, forcing some to walk long distances due to transport fares and, in some cases, rely on credit to buy food. He also argues that teachers face higher costs for essentials such as food, rent and electricity, while government recognition remains largely ceremonial.
Several reports add that Atiku challenges Tinubu politically, saying the president cannot name teachers or classmates from his own schooling, which Atiku presents as evidence of distance from classroom realities. Atiku also apologises to teachers and Nigerians for a leadership he describes as failing to prioritise teachers’ welfare. Across the coverage, he pledges that a future administration would introduce policies to improve affordability for families and better teachers’ welfare, rather than limiting support to Teachers’ Day messages.
