World Teachers’ Day: Dan’iya Demands Better Pay, Welfare for Sokoto Teachers

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has called on the state government to urgently address concerns over teachers’ salaries, employment status, working conditions and professional development.

Dan’iya made the call in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.

He commended teachers across Sokoto State for their sacrifices and contributions to the education and development of the state, but said the occasion should go beyond celebrations to addressing the challenges confronting the teaching profession.

Dan’iya expressed particular concern over reports of delays surrounding the September 2026 salaries of primary school teachers, stressing that teachers who are responsible for shaping the future of children should not have to worry about the payment of their legitimate entitlements.

He also referred to reports that about 4,000 teachers were deleted from the state payroll after the current administration assumed office, noting that payroll deletions should not automatically be interpreted as formal dismissals.

The ADC candidate further raised concerns over newly recruited workers whose appointments are undergoing verification.

He recalled that the Sokoto State Government announced on September 23, 2026, the constitution of a committee to verify 3,100 newly recruited civil servants and facilitate salary payments to eligible personnel, with a representative of the Teachers Service Board included in the committee.

While acknowledging the need for proper payroll verification, Dan’iya urged the government to provide a clear timeline for resolving the matter and ensure that genuinely employed workers are not left in prolonged uncertainty over their appointments and salaries.

“You cannot build a strong education system while the people entrusted with educating our children are worried about whether their salaries will be paid, whether their appointments will stand, or whether they will receive the training and professional support required to do their jobs effectively,” he said.

Dan’iya called for improved teacher training and professional development, adequate teaching materials, decent working environments and clear opportunities for career progression.

He also urged the government to address challenges affecting universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions as part of a comprehensive education strategy.

According to him, investments in infrastructure must be matched with competent personnel, functional institutions and sustainable welfare arrangements if the state is to achieve meaningful improvement in education.

Dan’iya therefore urged the Sokoto State Government to urgently resolve outstanding salary and employment issues affecting teachers, clarify the status of affected personnel and establish a transparent mechanism for handling genuine employment and payroll complaints.

He reaffirmed that the welfare, dignity and professional development of teachers must remain central to efforts aimed at improving learning outcomes across Sokoto State.