In a significant move to address long-standing welfare concerns, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved a substantial financial uplift for educators across the state. The governor has given the green light for a Teachers Specific Allowance (TSA), with rates varying based on professional certification.
Details of the New Allowance Structure
The approval, announced via a statement from the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, outlines a two-tier system. Teachers certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and employed under TESCOM and SUBEB on the CONKWESS I salary scale will receive a 27.5 per cent allowance.
Educators who have not yet obtained their TRCN certification will be eligible for a 21 per cent allowance. Governor AbdulRazaq directed that this new financial benefit should take effect from January 2026. The announcement came shortly after the governor presented the state's 2026 budget to the Kwara State House of Assembly, signaling a prioritization of education sector demands.
Pressure from the Nigeria Union of Teachers
This policy shift did not occur in a vacuum. It was a direct response to sustained pressure from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kwara State. The union had previously threatened to embark on a statewide industrial action in December 2025, citing the government's failure to address critical welfare issues.
Among the union's grievances was the state's non-implementation of the National Harmonised Teachers Retirement Age Act, which extends the retirement age for teachers to 65 years or 40 years of service. With over 25 other states already complying, the NUT had demanded an emergency meeting with the governor, warning that inaction could lead to a shutdown of academic activities.
Implications for Kwara's Education Sector
The approval of the Teachers Specific Allowance is expected to have several immediate effects. Primarily, it is anticipated to defuse the rising tensions between the state government and the teaching workforce, potentially averting the threatened strike action.
Furthermore, this financial incentive is likely to boost morale among teachers and could serve as an encouragement for uncertified educators to pursue their TRCN certification to qualify for the higher rate. Governor AbdulRazaq, in the statement, acknowledged the indispensable role of teachers in nation-building, commending their commitment to the sector.
This development in Kwara mirrors similar efforts in other states to retain and motivate teaching staff. For instance, Katsina State recently approved a N30,000 monthly allowance for teachers in rural communities to tackle staff shortages and boost commitment in remote areas.
