World Teachers Day: ASUSS Demands Housing Scheme For FCT Teachers

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has called on the FCT Administration to establish a dedicated housing scheme for teachers, saying the high cost of accommodation is undermining their welfare and morale.

The FCT chairman of ASUSS, Mr Julius Ogundiran, made the call in Abuja on Monday during the joint national celebration of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.

Ogundiran acknowledged the ongoing transformation in the education sector under FCT Minister Nyesom Wike but said the housing challenge had become a major burden for teachers across the territory.

He said some teachers were forced to commute long distances from neighbouring states, while others had resorted to sleeping in school classrooms because they could not afford accommodation within the FCT.

“If the government stands with the teachers, the teachers will be strong. If the teachers are strong, education will be strong. If education is strong, the nation will be strong.

“We have been hearing that the reward of teachers is in heaven. We don’t have to go to heaven before we start carrying our reward, let us enjoy it now,” Ogundir said.

While commending the FCT Administration for the prompt payment of teachers’ salaries, he said the acute shortage and high cost of housing remained a major impediment to teacher welfare.

“Most of our colleagues, even in Garki here, are coming from Suleja or Abaji, and some are even sleeping in classrooms because they can’t afford houses in town,” he said.

Ogundir urged the FCT Administration to either construct dedicated housing estates for teachers or allocate subsidised land to teachers across the six area councils.

“We are not politicians; we don’t have any other revenue that we are collecting from students.

“If they can provide housing estates for teachers, we will be more motivated and well-equipped to perform our duties,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Grace Philip, a teacher at Junior Secondary School, Tungan Maje, expressed concern over what she described as the marginalisation of teachers in the country.

“In everything they are doing in this country, teachers always come last,” she said.

Philip also raised concerns over delays in the promotion of FCT teachers, urging authorities to pay greater attention to the concerns of educators working at the grassroots.

In his remarks, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare, professional development and funding for education.

Bagudu, who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Kikelomo Ogundele, described investment in teachers as “an indispensable investment in Nigeria’s future.”

He said no structural or policy reform in the education sector could succeed without well-trained, motivated and adequately supported teachers.

The minister said teachers occupied a critical position in the development of every sector of the national economy and remained central to the development of every nation.

“They do far more than transmit knowledge; they shape characters, nurture talents, inspire ambition, and prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to society,” Bagudu said.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr Oluwaseun Falaye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), also urged leaders in educational institutions and workplaces to promote ethical conduct, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Falaye, who was represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Mr Samaila Abdul, said teachers’ contribution to nation-building went beyond classroom instruction.

“Teachers do far more than impart knowledge. They shape character, inspire values, nurture potentials, and prepare future generations to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

Addressing the central theme of the workshop, Falaye said effective leadership went beyond formal authority or technical competence, stressing the importance of moral responsibility and service.

“Effective leadership is not defined solely by authority, position, or technical competence. It is strengthened by integrity, accountability, fairness, responsibility, discipline, and a positive attitude towards service and duty,” he said.