- By Adekunle Gbadebo
Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Otto Ijanikin, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye has underscored the importance of good salary structure for teachers, saying that when teachers are undervalued, underpaid, and unsupported, the entire educational edifice begins to crack.
She spoke at the institution’s commemoration of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day, held on the university’s campus in Ijanikin Lagos.
The event had as theme: “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession”.
Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye said the quality of the education system in the school was proportional to the welfare and professional standing of its teachers.
“When teachers are undervalued, underpaid, and unsupported, the entire educational edifice begins to crack.
“This reality often leads to brain drain, low morale, and a reduced appeal of the profession to bright young minds.
“We must confront this reality head-on, not with despair, but with renewed determination to effect tangible change,” she said.
She said the state had been taking good care of its teachers with a very good salary, stressing that it could only get better with time.
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“We salute your steady commitment, passion, and indispensable role in national development.
While we celebrate you, it will be disingenuous to ignore the persistent challenges that continue to plague the teaching profession in Nigeria.
“Despite your immeasurable contribution, many teachers still grapple with inadequate preparation, poor working conditions, limited access to professional development opportunities, and, at times, a disheartening lack of societal appreciation.
“However, in Lagos State, I can tell you authoritatively that we are building our teachers’ world, and no teacher goes home with less than N150,000 in the state. But we can do better,” she said.
Lafiaji-Okuneye added that the theme was not merely a slogan but a powerful call to action.
“It is a reflection of the evolving demands placed upon everyone and a profound recognition of the synergy required to elevate education to its rightful place.
“In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the siloed approach to teaching is no longer sustainable. Collaboration, in all its facets, is the key to unlocking the full potential of our educators and, by extension, our students,” she said.
The professor said for decades, teaching had often been perceived as an individualistic endeavour, confined within the four walls of a classroom.
“However, true excellence in education flourishes in an ecosystem of shared ideas, mutual support, continuous professional dialogue, and collective problem-solving.
“This theme challenges us to break down barriers, forge stronger partnerships, and create a truly interdependent professional community. This is where the theme becomes incredibly powerful.
“Collaboration is not just about sharing lesson plans; it is about building a robust support system, fostering innovation, and collectively advocating for the systemic changes needed to uplift the profession,” she said.
The VC called for collaboration in three critical areas, one of which was teacher-to-teacher collaboration.
Lafiaji-Okuneye said this involved peer mentoring, team teaching, professional learning communities, and inter-school partnerships.
“The other is school-community collaboration, which engages parents, community leaders, and local industries to create a supportive ecosystem for learning.
“This ensures that education is relevant to community needs and that teachers receive adequate support,” she said.
She noted that government and other funding agencies should also invest in modern teaching resources and infrastructure.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Adewale Gbenga of the Educational Psychology, Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, emphasised the need for collaboration for effective service delivery and better learning outcomes.
He said collaboration among teachers results in enhanced morale, job satisfaction,increased innovation and creativity, and better support for diverse students’ needs.