Alex Onyia Proposes N300K Starting Salary, brand Car for Nigerian Teachers

Alex Onyia Proposes N300K Starting Salary, brand Car for Nigerian Teachers

 

 

Alex Onyia, CEO of educational technology firm Educare, has called for sweeping reforms in the Nigerian education sector, beginning with significantly improved conditions for teachers.

 

In a recent post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Onyia proposed a starting salary of ₦300,000 for Nigerian teachers, alongside a car ownership scheme designed to be paid off gradually by the teachers themselves.

 

Onyia, a well-known advocate for quality education in Nigeria, also stressed the need for more stringent qualification requirements for aspiring teachers.

 

He suggested that only individuals with a minimum of a second-class upper (2:1) in their first degree and a master’s degree should be eligible to enter the profession.

 “Minimum qualification to be a teacher in Nigeria should be a master’s degree, also a minimum of 2:1 in first degree,” Onyia wrote.

He further recommended the introduction of a bi-annual license renewal process for teachers, which would include mandatory training and certification exams. This, he said, would ensure continuous professional development and help maintain high standards in the teaching profession.

 “The best should train the coming generations!” he emphasized.

Onyia’s proposals come amid growing national conversations around educational reform, teacher welfare, and the quality of public schooling in Nigeria.

 

Some netizens argue that while the intentions are noble, implementing such changes would require significant budget reallocations, improved oversight mechanisms, and a cultural shift in how the teaching profession is perceived.

 

Some of his followers, however, say Onyia’s suggestions could be a game-changer in attracting and retaining top talent in education—a sector often overlooked in national development strategies.

 

As of now, the average starting salary for teachers in many parts of Nigeria remains far below Onyia’s proposed ₦300,000 benchmark, with poor working conditions and limited access to professional development being common challenges across the board.