The Kogi State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has called on Governor Ahmed Ododo to approve the recruitment of 2,871 additional teachers to address the shortage of teaching staff in secondary schools across the state.
The appeal was made by the ASUSS Chairman, Mr. Emejeh Ogwu, during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration held in Lokoja. Ogwu noted that the lack of adequate teaching personnel has continued to negatively affect the quality and standard of education in the state’s secondary schools.
He explained that during the last recruitment exercise, the state government employed 1,108 teachers out of the 3,979 positions that had been approved by the previous administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
“At the time those teachers were recruited, public secondary schools in Kogi were already short of 9,948 teachers. Since then, the situation has worsened due to deaths, retirements, and the movement of teachers to other states and sectors in search of better opportunities,” Ogwu said.
The ASUSS chairman also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to stabilise the Naira, lower the cost of basic goods, and improve the real value of teachers’ salaries. He emphasized that this year’s World Teachers’ Day theme provides an opportunity to reflect on how to better support teachers to maximize their potential and rethink strategies for advancing the teaching profession globally.
Ogwu further appealed to the state government to pay outstanding leave bonuses, harmonise pension payments for retired teachers, and extend infrastructural development to secondary schools, many of which are currently in a dilapidated state. He also suggested the introduction of a revolving motorcycle loan scheme to support teachers’ mobility, particularly in rural areas.
Despite the challenges, Ogwu commended the state government for its efforts in paying salaries and pensions promptly and for implementing the national minimum wage for teachers.
In a goodwill message, Mr. Onu Johnson-Edoka, Special Adviser to Governor Ododo on Labour Matters, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of secondary school teachers to national development. He encouraged a collaborative approach to education involving teachers, parents, and the wider community to shape the lives of children effectively.
Also speaking, the state Head of Service, Dr. Elijah Adeiza, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing teachers’ concerns. He noted that the request for additional teachers had already been formally presented to the governor for consideration.