We Can’t Afford Houses In Abuja, Teachers Lament

Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised the alarm over the worsening housing crisis confronting educators in the nation’s capital. They said some teachers have been forced to commute daily from neighbouring states while others sleep in classrooms because they cannot afford accommodation in Abuja.

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), FCT Chapter, therefore, called on the FCT Administration to establish dedicated housing estates for teachers or allocate subsidised land to them across the six area councils.

The union said the housing challenge was eroding teachers’ morale despite the FCT Administration’s prompt salary payments, warning that teachers’ welfare must be treated as a priority if the government wants to strengthen the education sector.

FCT chairman of ASUSS, Mr Julius Ogundiran, made the demand yesterday in Abuja during the joint national celebration of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.

Ogundiran, who acknowledged what he described as the ongoing transformation in the FCT education sector under the minister, Nyesom Wike, said the cost of accommodation had become a major burden for teachers.

“Most of our colleagues, even in Garki come from Suleja or Abaji, and some sleep in classrooms because they can’t afford the house rent in town,” he said.

He urged the FCT leadership to construct housing estates specifically for teachers, or to provide subsidised land across the area councils, enabling them to build affordable homes.

According to him, improving teachers’ welfare would directly translate into better classroom performance and ultimately strengthen the education system.

“If the government stands with the teachers, the teachers will be strong. If the teachers are strong, education will be strong. If education is strong, the nation will be strong,” Ogundir said.

He added, “We have been hearing that the reward of teachers is in heaven. We don’t have to go to heaven before we start carrying our reward; let us enjoy it now.”

The ASUSS chairman noted that teachers were not politicians and had no alternative sources of income from students, stressing that affordable housing would provide them with greater stability and motivation to perform their duties.

“We are not politicians; we don’t have any other revenue other than what we collect from students.

“If they can provide housing estates for teachers, we will be more motivated and well-equipped to perform our duties,” he said.

Also speaking, a teacher at Junior Secondary School, Tungan Maje, Mrs Grace Philip, lamented what she described as the persistent marginalisation of teachers in the country.

“In everything they are doing in this country, teachers always come last,” Philip said.

She also raised concerns about delays in promoting teachers in the FCT, urging authorities to pay greater attention to the concerns of those working directly with students.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to teachers’ welfare, professional development and increased investment in education.

Bagudu, who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Kikelomo Ogundele, described investment in teachers as “an indispensable investment in Nigeria’s future.”

He said no structural or policy reform in the education sector could succeed without well-trained, motivated and adequately supported teachers.

The minister said teachers occupied a critical position in the development of every sector of the economy, stressing that their responsibilities extended beyond classroom teaching.

“They do far more than transmit knowledge; they shape characters, nurture talents, inspire ambition, and prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to society,” Bagudu said.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr Oluwaseun Falaye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), also called on leaders in educational institutions and workplaces to uphold ethical conduct, transparency and accountability.

Falaye, who was represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Mr Samaila Abdul, said teachers played a pivotal role in nation-building and their influence extended beyond the classroom.

“Teachers do far more than impart knowledge. They shape character, inspire values, nurture potentials, and prepare future generations to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

Addressing the central theme of the workshop, Falaye said effective leadership was not determined solely by authority, position or technical competence but by integrity, accountability, fairness and a commitment to service.

“Effective leadership is not defined solely by authority, position, or technical competence. It is strengthened by integrity, accountability, fairness, responsibility, discipline, and a positive attitude towards service and duty,” he said.