President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of the recruitment of 3,252 verified Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers into the Federal Civil Service, a move aimed at addressing the persistent shortage of teachers in Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges across Nigeria. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed the approval in a statement issued on Thursday, saying priority would be given to qualified PTA teachers, many of whom have served in federal schools for between 10 and 25 years without permanent appointments. He described the decision as a major intervention by the Tinubu administration to strengthen the country’s teaching workforce.

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According to Alausa, the approval followed a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by an inter-ministerial committee, which confirmed the eligibility of 3,252 applicants across the cadres of education officers, assistant education officers and technical instructors. He explained that the successful candidates would be absorbed into the mainstream public service after completing the required statutory procedures. The minister noted that the recruitment would improve teacher-to-student ratios, preserve institutional experience and reduce the reliance of federal schools on temporary teachers funded by parents through PTA arrangements.

Alausa said the regularisation demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the quality of education and rewarding experienced teachers who have remained dedicated despite years of employment uncertainty. He added that the exercise would be conducted transparently and in line with public service regulations, while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to strengthening the teaching profession and improving learning outcomes. For years, Federal Unity Colleges have depended on PTA-funded teachers to bridge staffing gaps, with many serving for over a decade without permanent employment, pension benefits or job security.