The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has faulted Nigeria’s education workforce policy over selective implementation of welfare reforms.
Mr Peters Adeyemi, NASU General Secretary, stated this in a statement titled “Rethinking Equity in Nigeria’s Education Policy” made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
Adeyemi said continued neglect of non-teaching staff in basic and post-basic schools undermines equity, labour justice and learning outcomes nationwide.
He said although education is a fundamental human right and development driver, government policies favour tertiary institution workers over primary and secondary school staff.
Adeyemi identified the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act (2022) as an example, noting that it extended teachers’ retirement age while excluding non-teaching staff.
“The Act sought to retain experience and improve outcomes, but its narrow scope ignores the integrated nature of school operations,” Adeyemi said.
He said administrators, bursars, laboratory technicians, librarians, counsellors, ICT personnel, cleaners and security staff are indispensable to effective education delivery.
“Teachers cannot function alone. Schools are ecosystems, and excluding support staff from welfare reforms demoralises workers and weakens the entire system,” he said.
Adeyemi said basic education is the foundation of national development, warning that neglect at this level will ultimately affect tertiary institutions and graduate quality.
He recalled that Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution mandates equal educational opportunities and eradication of illiteracy through free and compulsory education.
He said these provisions, though non-justiciable, clearly define government policy direction and should guide education reforms.
The NASU leader cited Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which guarantees free and compulsory basic education.
He argued that neglecting workers sustaining basic education contradicts Nigeria’s international obligations.
Adeyemi noted that excluding non-teaching staff from retirement-age benefits violates ILO Conventions 100 and 111 on equality and non-discrimination.
He decried a pattern of structural inequality where tertiary institution staff enjoy better welfare due largely to stronger union pressure.
“Government responses are often driven by industrial action rather than constitutional principles or international commitments,” he said.
Adeyemi warned that such practices contradict Sustainable Development Goal 16 and threaten attainment of SDG 4 on quality education.
He called for uniform domestication of the Harmonised Retirement Age Act by all states to strengthen national planning.
He urged states to extend retirement benefits to non-teaching staff and develop comprehensive welfare packages covering healthcare and professional development.
Adeyemi also called for improved funding and transparency in UBEC and State Basic Education Boards.
“For Nigeria to meet its commitments, education workforce policy must be inclusive. Teachers alone cannot deliver quality education; every support worker matters,” he said.
