The newly inaugurated President, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Dr Ahmed Baza, has pledged to prioritise members’ welfare, strengthen engagement with government for the full implementation of the 2010 FGN-COEASU Agreement.
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Baza made the commitment on Thursday in Abuja during his inaugural address at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration and the inauguration of the new National Officers’ Council of COEASU.
He described his election as a “defining moment” in the collective struggle of academic staff in the Colleges of Education subsector.
“The mandate you have given us is clear, to protect the welfare of our members, advance the cause of teacher education, and build a stronger, more united COEASU,” he said.
He reaffirmed COEASU’s commitment to constructive dialogue with the federal government and relevant agencies to achieve key union objectives.
This commitment, he said would include the implementation of the 2010 agreement, improved welfare packages, and respect for the rights and privileges of academic staff.
Baza also pledged to intensify advocacy for adequate funding, infrastructural development, and improved conditions for teaching practice and demonstration schools.
He stressed that such reforms were essential for quality teacher education.
Highlighting recent reforms in the subsector, he commended the implementation of the dual mandate for Colleges of Education, describing it as a historic policy milestone that restores institutional autonomy.
“The dual mandate is not just a policy shift; it is a validation of the competence, capacity, and credibility of our Colleges of Education and their academic staff.
“It ensures our institutions can now award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes in line with global standards,” he said.
Baza assured members that his administration would pursue inclusive leadership rooted in accountability, integrity, and collaboration with government and stakeholders in the education sector.
Meanwhile, the immediate past president of the union, Smart Olugbeko, described his four-year tenure as a period of “collective progress, courageous advocacy, and enduring transformation” in Nigeria’s teacher-education sector.
Olugbeko, who led the union from 2021 to 2025, in his valedictory speech, urged the new president to sustain the momentum, deepen reforms, and guard the unity of the union.
He also advised incoming leadership to focus on key priorities, including completing the renegotiation of the 2010 FGN–COEASU Agreement, ensuring the release of the Needs Assessment Fund, and fully implementing the dual mandate policy.
On his part, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to repositioning and restoring the dignity of the teaching profession in Nigeria.
Speaking on the theme, “Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future,” the minister described teachers as “custodians of stability and architects of change”.
He noted that their dedication sustains the wheel of the nation’s education system.
“Teachers are not just transmitters of knowledge, but the backbone of our national development.
“They remain leaders and unsung heroes who equip our children to build a more hopeful future,” Alausa said.
Commending COEASU for its consistent engagement and cooperation with government, he lauded the union’s commitment to dialogue, patience and constructive advocacy, which, he said, had advanced the interests of its members.
“Your union has demonstrated maturity and partnership in pursuing its goals.
“I encourage you to sustain this spirit—firm in your convictions, but always guided by shared purpose,” the minister said.
Alausa also praised the outgoing COEASU executives for their service and contributions to reforms and stability within the subsector, urging the newly inaugurated officers to build on their predecessors’ achievements.
He charged all teachers to remain steadfast and visionary as they continue shaping the nation’s future.
