School owners, education leaders, and key stakeholders are set to mobilise at least 60,000 teachers for the upcoming “Let There Be Teachers” Conference, billed as the largest gathering of educators in Nigeria’s history.
The conference, scheduled for September 20, 2025, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, is being positioned as a Guinness World Record attempt while also serving as a platform to spotlight the challenges and contributions of Nigerian teachers.
Nigeria’s education sector has long struggled with systemic problems such as underfunding, poor remuneration, inadequate infrastructure, and low access to training opportunities. Organisers say the event will serve as a catalyst for addressing these issues.
In a statement on Wednesday, General Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr. Luyi Armstrong, said a recent strategy session brought together members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other stakeholders to finalise plans for the landmark event.
“This is a precursor to the event coming up next Saturday. We are excited that, for the first time in our country’s history, teachers will gather on such a scale to discuss their challenges and celebrate their contributions,” Armstrong said.
Conference convener and education advocate, Oluwaseyi Anifowose, stressed the importance of collaboration in transforming Nigeria’s education system. “The growth of our schools is directly tied to the growth of our teachers. When we empower schools, we empower educators, and ultimately, we secure the future of education in Nigeria,” he said.
Co-founder of 1 Million Teachers (1MT), Dr. Hakeem Subair, also emphasised the need to elevate teachers’ welfare and professional development. “It is time for society to pay more attention to teachers’ issues. Teachers play a remarkable role in shaping society and building harmony,” he said.
Other education experts at the strategy session — including Ronke Posh Adeniyi, Rizma Butt, Rotimi Eyitayo, Rhoda Odigboh, and Prof. Akin Akinpelu — shared perspectives on school innovation, leadership, and sustainability.
Organisers say the conference will highlight pressing issues such as learning poverty, while promoting technology-driven teaching, teacher training, and state-level partnerships aimed at improving learning outcomes for millions of Nigerian children.
