NEWS
“Priority Will Be Given to Absorbing Verified PTA Teachers” — President Tinubu Approves Recruitment of 3,252 Teachers into Federal Civil Service
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 3,252 verified Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers into the Federal Civil Service, marking a major milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to tackle the shortage of teachers in Federal Unity Colleges and improve the quality of education across Nigeria.
The approval is expected to bring long-awaited relief to thousands of teachers who have dedicated years of service to Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges without securing permanent appointments, despite performing the same responsibilities as government-employed teachers.
The development was disclosed on Thursday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.
According to the minister, the recruitment exercise will prioritise verified PTA teachers, many of whom have spent years bridging the staffing gaps in federal schools under difficult conditions.
He noted that some of the affected teachers have devoted nearly 25 years of service to the nation’s Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges without enjoying the benefits and job security associated with permanent employment. With the President’s approval, these teachers will now have the opportunity to transition into the mainstream Federal Civil Service.
Alausa described the approval as one of the Tinubu administration’s most significant interventions in the education sector, saying it demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening teaching quality while recognising the sacrifices and dedication of PTA teachers who have sustained learning in federal schools over the years.
“This is a president who cares deeply for Nigeria and for the future of our country.
“The president has approved the recruitment of teachers. Priority will be given to absorbing verified PTA teachers, many of whom have served in our Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges for almost 25 years. This approval provides them with the opportunity to become part of the mainstream public service,” the minister said.
The minister explained that the recruitment followed a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by an inter-ministerial committee established to screen eligible PTA teachers serving across Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
He disclosed that the exercise successfully verified:
“3,252 teachers across the cadres of Education Officers, Assistant Education Officers and Technical Instructors, paving the way for their regularisation upon completion of all statutory requirements.”
Describing the initiative as a major achievement under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Alausa said the recruitment would significantly improve the teacher-student ratio in Federal Unity Colleges while rewarding teachers who had remained committed to the education sector despite years of uncertainty and temporary employment.
He added that integrating experienced PTA teachers into the Federal Civil Service would preserve institutional knowledge, strengthen classroom instruction and enhance learning outcomes across the colleges.
“The recruitment forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve teacher quality and reposition the colleges as centres of academic excellence,” he said.
Alausa further stated that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue working closely with relevant government agencies to complete all outstanding statutory procedures required before the issuance of the final recruitment approvals in line with public service regulations.
The minister expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the exercise, describing the decision as another demonstration of the administration’s determination to place education at the centre of national development.
“Investing in teachers is fundamental to building a stronger education system, as no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers,” he said.
He assured all verified PTA teachers that the regularisation process would be concluded with transparency, fairness and due diligence.
The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing policies aimed at strengthening the teaching profession, improving learning outcomes and ensuring that students in Federal Unity Colleges receive quality education from competent and dedicated teachers.
For many years, Federal Unity Colleges have relied heavily on PTA teachers employed and funded by Parent-Teacher Associations to fill persistent vacancies created by inadequate recruitment into the federal teaching service. Although these teachers carried out the same classroom responsibilities as their permanently employed counterparts, many remained without formal appointments for periods ranging from 10 to 25 years.
Over the years, affected teachers, education stakeholders and parents repeatedly appealed to successive administrations to regularise the appointments of PTA teachers, arguing that the prolonged dependence on PTA-funded personnel placed enormous financial pressure on parents while leaving thousands of qualified teachers without job security.
President Tinubu’s approval is widely seen as a landmark intervention that not only addresses a long-standing employment challenge but also strengthens the Federal Government’s broader commitment to improving the quality, stability and effectiveness of Nigeria’s education system.