Abbas Tajuddeen Distributes Motorcycles to 500 Zaria Teachers, Targets Improved Attendance and Learning
By Idris Umar, Zaria
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajuddeen, has distributed motorcycles to 500 conventional school teachers in his constituency, describing the initiative as a practical intervention to improve teachers’ mobility, punctuality and effectiveness in rural schools.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Zaria, Tajuddeen said transportation challenges remained a major obstacle for teachers posted to distant communities, adding that the motorcycles would enable beneficiaries to reach their schools earlier, travel more safely and reduce their daily transportation expenses.
He said the intervention was part of a broader constituency programme focused on improving teachers’ welfare and strengthening the quality of education.
“A motorcycle cannot teach a child. But where it can help is in getting the teacher to the child,” Tajuddeen said.
The Speaker said his personal experience as a teacher had given him an understanding of the difficulties educators face in carrying out their responsibilities.
He recalled teaching in several primary schools under the local government education department, noting that teachers’ duties extended beyond classroom instruction to lesson preparation, marking books, assisting struggling pupils, engaging parents and sometimes providing teaching materials from their personal resources.
He therefore called for teachers’ welfare to remain a central component of education policy.
Tajuddeen also identified inadequate numbers of trained teachers as one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector.
Citing a 2024 assessment by the Federal Government and UNESCO, he said Nigeria required nearly 200,000 additional trained teachers to address existing gaps.
He further expressed concern about poor learning outcomes, saying only about 27 per cent of Nigerian children aged seven to 14 possessed basic reading and comprehension skills, while the figure in the North-West was estimated at below 10 per cent.
“These are not distant statistics. They describe children in our communities,” he said.
According to him, the provision of infrastructure, textbooks and technology would not be sufficient to improve learning outcomes without committed and adequately supported teachers.
He stressed that punctuality and regular attendance were particularly important in rural schools, where transportation difficulties could prevent teachers from reaching their classrooms consistently.
The Speaker said reducing transportation expenses could also allow teachers to redirect part of their income towards family needs and professional development, while saving travel time would give them more opportunity for lesson preparation and classroom engagement.
Tajuddeen disclosed that the latest distribution formed part of a wider constituency education programme under which about 10,000 motorcycles had previously been provided to primary and secondary school teachers.
He said other interventions had included support for school infrastructure, student development, vocational education and digital learning.
The Speaker also spoke on the Federal Government’s petroleum subsidy reforms, arguing that targeted interventions were more effective in supporting Nigerians who genuinely needed assistance.
He recalled that Nigeria spent about N4.5 trillion on petroleum subsidies in 2022, arguing that the benefits were disproportionately enjoyed by those who consumed more fuel.
He said subsidy removal had increased resources available to the three tiers of government, citing figures showing that total Federation Account allocations rose from N8.21 trillion in 2022 to N10.14 trillion in 2023.
He added that between June 2023 and December 2025, states received about N9.17 trillion more than they would have received under the former monthly allocation structure, while local governments received an additional N6.66 trillion.
“These are public figures. Every Nigerian can examine them,” he said.
Tajuddeen argued that returning to the old subsidy regime could reverse the gains of the reform, increase borrowing and reduce resources available for education, healthcare and infrastructure.
He also said government support for domestic refining had helped reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, strengthen energy security, protect foreign exchange and create employment.
The Speaker commended Federal Government initiatives aimed at improving teacher development through better teacher data, digital training and continuous professional development.
He also welcomed the elevation of the Federal College of Education, Zaria, to a university of education, describing it as an important investment in teacher training.
“We cannot improve learning without improving the conditions under which our teachers operate,” he said.
Tajuddeen assured that the National Assembly would continue to prioritise human capacity development, instructional materials and quality education through legislation, appropriation and oversight.
He said lawmakers would also ensure that approved education funds translated into tangible benefits for schools, teachers and learners.
“A policy document in Abuja cannot teach a class in this area.
The policy must produce trained teachers and tangible support where teachers work,” he said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Speaker urged them to use the motorcycles responsibly, maintain them properly, obtain the necessary documentation, wear helmets and obey traffic regulations.
He also challenged teachers to demonstrate measurable improvements in punctuality, attendance, lesson preparation and classroom engagement as a result of the intervention.
He called on school leaders and education authorities to monitor the impact of the programme and assess whether teachers were reaching distant schools more easily and whether pupils were receiving more consistent instruction.
“Public support should produce public value,” Tajuddeen said.
He commended teachers for their dedication, professionalism and personal sacrifices, urging them to continue giving their best to the education of Nigerian children.
“Let these motorcycles reduce the distance between your homes and your schools. More importantly, may your work reduce the distance between every child and a better future,” he said.
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