Teachers’ Day: President who can’t name his teachers, classmates does not understand their struggles – Atiku

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his inability to name any former teacher or classmate, saying such a leader cannot understand the struggles facing Nigerian teachers.

Atiku spoke in a statement by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, to mark the 2026 Teachers’ Day. According to SaharaReporters, he praised teachers but condemned the rising cost of living affecting their families.

“I still remember the names and faces of my early teachers in Jada, who saw potential in a young orphan when few others did. They taught me arithmetic and grammar, but they also gave me a future.”

Atiku then criticised Tinubu, saying: “It is both revealing and deeply embarrassing that Bola Tinubu cannot name a single teacher who stood before him or a classmate who sat beside him.”

He added: “The government cannot praise teachers on this day and leave them to face hardship for the rest of the year. A commemorative message cannot pay a teacher’s bills.”

Atiku pledged policies to reduce living costs and improve teachers’ welfare.