By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Artificial Intelligence belongs in the classroom, but human teachers remain irreplaceable, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa has said.
Alausa and teaching profession leaders spoke on Monday’s 2026 World Teachers’ Day and Excellence Awards in Abuja, where they called for urgent investment in training educators to use AI as a supportive tool rather than a substitute.
Alausa explained that technology and AI are changing how knowledge is accessed and used, but the judgement, encouragement and human connection provided by skilled teachers remain indispensable.
“Every doctor, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur and public servant has benefited from a teacher, and could not have become what they are today without teachers,” he said.
“When we honour teachers, we honour the people who make every other profession possible.”
The minister outlined the Federal Government’s five-point education renewal agenda, covering better learning environments, stronger institutions, skills for a changing economy, reliable data for decision-making, and improved teacher welfare and professional development.
“We must equip teachers to use new tools responsibly and confidently while safeguarding the standards and values that define quality education.
“Technology can support teaching, but the judgement and human connection of a skilled teacher remain indispensable,” the minister added.
Also speaking at the event, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa highlighted investments by his administration in school infrastructure, teacher welfare and digital education.
He disclosed that 43 new classroom blocks were constructed in 2025 at a cost of about N8.1 billion, while 175 schools were renovated with the provision of furniture, sports equipment and other learning materials.
“The classroom of tomorrow cannot be built with the tools of yesterday. That is why we are deliberately advancing digital education, introducing AI-powered learning tools, smartphones and structured literacy programmes, while equipping digitally trained teachers with laptops.”
Aiyedatiwa also highlighted regular payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances, scholarship support for students and the establishment of institutions to expand opportunities for professional and teacher education in the state.
“If we truly desire a knowledge-based society, we must give teachers the tools to teach, the environment to work, the dignity they deserve and the opportunity to continually renew their
knowledge,”he noted.
The President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba, on his part, called for improved remuneration, better working conditions, continuous professional development and adequate teaching and learning resources.
Amba, who spoke on behalf of teachers nationwide, maintained that the profession must be protected and its status advanced as education systems confront rapid technological changes.
“We reiterate our call on government at all levels to provide teachers with decent remuneration, safe and conducive working environments, opportunities for continuous professional development, adequate teaching and learning resources, and improved conditions of service,” he maintained.
The NUT president also backed the integration of AI into teaching and learning, but maintained that technology should empower teachers rather than diminish their role.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the FCT wing of the NUT, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, stressed that access to AI-generated information does not remove the need for teachers to guide learners and ensure they understand what they are learning.
“AI is providing information and giving you answers, but are you taught? Did you learn it? You did not learn it, and you cannot know it. Somebody has to direct you and teach you how to go about it,”he stressed.
Shafas urged the Federal and state governments to address teachers’ rights, recruitment, promotion and the provision of conducive working environments.
“The teacher is even more important and more needed at this time when AI will be introduced. We want to appeal to the government and state governments to address teachers’ rights, recruitment, promotion and conducive working environments,”he noted.
PerSecondNews correspondent at the ceremony reports that it also featured the President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to education and the teaching profession.
The Minister received the Most Innovative Minister Award, while the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, received the Best Collaborative Leadership Award.
Aiyedatiwa was honoured for his Outstanding Contribution to Education, while awards were also presented to the Overall Best Teacher and Overall Best School, alongside other recipients of awards of excellence.
Competitions and activities celebrating excellence among teachers and schools, march past by teachers from the 36 states and the FCT and cultural display were held to reinforce the focus on professionalism, innovation, leadership and improved learning outcome.
The 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration was held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Future,” highlighting the need to protect the teaching profession, improve teachers’ welfare and strengthen their role in a rapidly changing world.
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