The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), has raised serious concerns over the government’s continued neglect of teacher education, describing it as a critical threat to national development. The union emphasized that no nation can progress without a solid educational foundation, and urged urgent reforms to revitalize the sector.

Speaking at the union’s 40th National Delegate Conference held in Oyo State, SSUCOEN President, Comrade Danladi Msheliza, criticized policymakers for failing to prioritize teacher training institutions. He noted that despite the central role of education in shaping the future, teacher education remains grossly underfunded and undervalued across the country.

The conference, themed ‘Trade Union Practice in the Contemporary Nigerian Tertiary Education Sector: Clogs, Reflections and Panacea for Robust Industrial Climate’, brought together stakeholders from across the education sector to reflect on the challenges confronting Nigeria’s teacher training colleges. Msheliza warned that the continued erosion of foundational education—especially at the primary and junior secondary school levels—poses a long-term threat to national growth and stability.

SSUCOEN called on the federal and state governments to invest more significantly in Colleges of Education, improve the welfare of staff, and create a sustainable framework for teacher development. The union stressed that addressing these issues is essential for building a robust educational system capable of meeting the country’s development goals.