Nigeria is preparing to host a landmark Guinness World Record attempt as 60,000 teachers gather for the “Let There Be Teachers” conference on September 20 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. The event, described as the largest assembly of teachers in history, is designed to elevate the status of educators, spotlight their challenges, and push forward conversations on education reform.
A Movement Beyond Celebration
More than just a record attempt, the conference is being positioned as a turning point for education in Nigeria. Leaders from the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and other stakeholders recently met at The Providence Hotel in Lagos to align strategies for school growth, sustainability, and teacher mobilization ahead of the gathering.
“This is only the beginning of something bigger,” said Coach Luyi Armstrong, General Secretary of NAPPS. “For the first time, teachers will assemble at this scale—not only to be celebrated but also to speak out on the issues that matter most to their profession.”
Teachers as the Engine of School Growth
Conference convener and education advocate, Oluwaseyi Anifowose, emphasized the direct link between teacher empowerment and national progress.
“The growth of schools is inseparable from the growth of teachers,” he said. “When we invest in educators, we are securing the future of education in Nigeria.”
Building a Case for Reform
The event also carries a strong advocacy message. Dr. Hakeem Subair, co-founder of 1 Million Teachers (1MT), noted that society must reimagine the role of educators in nation-building.
“Teachers are builders of harmony and shapers of society. It is long overdue for their issues to take center stage,” he stressed.
According to Subair, the conference aims to spark practical solutions—tackling learning poverty, embedding technology in classrooms, strengthening teacher training, and catalyzing reforms to improve learning outcomes for millions of Nigerian children.
Voices Driving the Conversation
The planning session featured contributions from key education figures, including entrepreneur Ronke Posh Adeniyi, 1MT co-founder Rizma Butt, Rotimi Eyitayo, innovation strategist Rhoda Odigboh, and global consultant Prof. Akin Akinpelu. Their discussions highlighted innovation, leadership, and sustainability as pillars for education’s future.
Looking Ahead
By convening tens of thousands of teachers in one place, the “Let There Be Teachers” conference is not just chasing a world record—it is amplifying a message: Nigeria’s education reform begins with its teachers.
