TRCN Registrar Laments Poor Pay for Private School Teachers as Some Earn Just ₦20,000 Monthly

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Dr. Ronke Soyombo, has raised alarm over the dismal remuneration of teachers in some private schools, disclosing that many educators still earn as low as ₦20,000 per month despite their critical role in national development.

Speaking on Wednesday at the Annual Summit of the Conference of Private School Associations in Lagos, themed “Transformation of Education in Lagos State,” Soyombo stressed that improving teachers’ welfare is fundamental to elevating educational standards across the country.

She recounted the poignant story of an award-winning teacher from a private school who received a car as a prize from the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, but sold it shortly afterwards due to financial hardship.

“I remember when Governor Dapo Abiodun and I were going to present a car to the best teacher. He was from a private school… A week later, I saw him walking on the road and asked what happened to the car. He said he had sold it because he was being paid ₦20,000 monthly,” she said.

Soyombo noted that inadequate pay remains a major barrier to teacher motivation, retention, and overall service quality. “If we want good service, we have to pay teachers well,” she added. She explained that teachers also aspire to send their own children to good schools, underscoring the need for competitive compensation.

The TRCN chief expressed concern that private school proprietors often hesitate to invest in teacher training for fear that improved staff will leave for better-paying opportunities. She called for enhanced conditions of service to make teachers the cornerstone of quality education.

“Nigeria cannot transform its education sector without transforming the teaching profession,” Soyombo declared. She criticised education reforms that sideline teachers and advocated for stronger regulation, continuous professional development, safeguarding mechanisms, and responsible integration of artificial intelligence in classrooms.

The council has upgraded its digital teacher portal and plans to launch a nationwide mobile app, while also introducing a toll-free line for reporting misconduct and criminal record checks for teachers.

Renowned entrepreneur and former First Bank of Nigeria chairman, Ibukun Awosika, who presented on “The Role of Leadership in the Transformation of Education,” emphasised that no nation can achieve sustainable development without an educated populace.

Awosika urged leaders to align education with economic goals, address skill gaps, and foster curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation in schools. She highlighted the need to train more professionals in critical sectors like healthcare to stem brain drain.

Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, assured stakeholders of the state government’s commitment to school safety and quality education. He highlighted investments in infrastructure, digital learning, STEM promotion, and teacher development, noting strong performance in the 2025 WASSCE.

The President of the Conference of Private School Associations in Lagos, Dr. Olufemi Ogunsanya, described education as the strongest instrument for nation-building and warned that neglecting it would lead to higher unemployment, insecurity, and reduced global competitiveness.

The summit underscored a growing consensus that meaningful transformation in Nigeria’s education sector must begin with valuing and adequately rewarding the teachers who form its foundation.