As I watched Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, the iconic Fuji musician, hand out one million naira cheques to each member of his band during his 40th anniversary celebration, I couldn’t help but reflect on the glaring disparity between the entertainment and education sectors in Nigeria.
Pasuma’s gesture, which he said was to appreciate the dedication of his band members, irrespective of their years, symbolizes what it means to recognize and reward loyalty.
It doesn’t stop there. Another Fuji legend, Abass Akande Obesere, recently announced plans to gift a fully completed mansion to one of his loyal crew members in January 2025. Similarly, Saheed Osupa, another Fuji giant, revealed that one of his bouncers, nicknamed “Burẹdi,” owns not one but two houses, courtesy of his generosity.
Beyond Fuji music, the hip-hop scene boasts similar acts of largesse. Earlier this year, Davido gifted his manager a brand-new car, a testament to the value he places on loyalty and service.
These instances underscore a culture of appreciation and tangible reward within the entertainment industry—a culture starkly absent in education.
A Grim Contrast for Teachers
While musicians are lauded for celebrating their teams with life-changing gifts, teachers, who spend years shaping the minds of the future, languish in poverty and obscurity. The rewards of teaching often come in the form of ridicule, paltry salaries, and a complete lack of recognition. How many teachers received a token of one million naira this year? How many were gifted a car or a house for their tireless service? The answer is glaringly obvious: very few, if any.
Instead, teachers are treated as expendable, their contributions dismissed as insignificant. Despite working from January to December, many are left with nothing but broken promises and disrespect. It’s no surprise that the profession is increasingly viewed with disdain.
Students idolize musicians and celebrities, who exemplify financial success and public recognition, while teachers are relegated to the margins of society.
The Harsh Reality of Teaching
Teaching, once considered a noble profession, has become a thankless endeavour, especially in Nigeria. The year 2024 has ended, yet teachers continue to struggle without hope for improvement.
It is evident that education and skill acquisition are no longer on equal footing. Certificates alone do not guarantee respect or a decent livelihood.
Don’t be surprised that if the victims of the recent stampedes in the country are idenytified, I would likely turn out that majority of them were predominantly teachers and their children. It’s a deeply tragic and disheartening reality.
It is time for teachers to wake up and chart a new course. The profession, as it stands, is not for those with greater ambitions. It is not worth the stress or sacrifices if it does not offer financial security, respect, or fulfillment.
A Call for Change
Teachers must adapt to this grim reality. The way forward is to acquire additional skills and create alternative income streams. Relying solely on education and certificates is a recipe for perpetual disappointment.
Until the teaching profession regains its honour and teachers receive the recognition they deserve, it will remain a pitiful shadow of what it once was. And as long as society continues to devalue educators, we cannot fault the younger generation for idolizing musicians and celebrities instead.
The choice is clear: teachers must evolve, innovate, and demand better. Otherwise, the profession will continue to wither under the weight of neglect and indifference.
