Exposing the Exploitation: The Dark Underbelly of the End Well Scheme for Teachers|Fẹ́mi Akínṣọlá

By Editor On Feb 9, 2025

In a troubling trend that undermines the very foundation of trust within the educational community, a small group of teachers has cunningly maneuvered themselves into positions of power within the End Well Scheme, a program ostensibly designed to support educators in their retirement. Instead of serving the interests of their colleagues, these so-called leaders have transformed the scheme into a vehicle for their personal enrichment, all while cloaking their actions in the guise of representation.

The End Well Scheme is supposed to be a safety net for teachers, a promise that their hard-earned contributions will yield returns upon retirement. However, the reality is far from this ideal. Members are subjected to quarterly deductions from their salaries, with the assurance of receiving triple their savings upon retirement. Yet, as many have come to realize, these promises ring hollow. The scheme’s leaders, operating without accountability, have crafted a narrative that benefits only themselves, leaving the majority of teachers in a state of financial uncertainty and despair.

Recent developments have further exposed the scheme’s exploitative nature. In a shocking move, the coordinators announced an increase in the quarterly payment to five thousand Naira, while simultaneously slashing the return percentage to a mere 1.75%. This decision, made without justification, raises serious questions about the motives of the coordinators. What criteria led to this cruel adjustment, and why were members not consulted? Such unilateral actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the teachers’ welfare and financial security.

Adding insult to injury, these coordinators, who are themselves government-paid teachers, have threatened any member wishing to resign with the prospect of delayed payments—potentially for a year or more. This tactic not only stifles dissent but also reinforces the power dynamics that allow this small faction to control the financial destinies of their colleagues with impunity.

The lack of accountability is staggering. While the End Well Scheme was established under specific laws, it appears that those in charge have been granted a disturbing level of freedom to operate without oversight. This negligence from the state government is equally troubling, as it allows the coordinators to act as self-appointed lords over their fellow educators, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation.

In an age where technology can facilitate communication and transparency, it is disheartening to note that coordinators have failed to establish a platform connecting them with the members they purport to serve. This disconnect serves only to fortify their control, leaving teachers isolated and powerless to challenge the status quo.

This opinion paper serves as a challenge to the authorities of the End Well Scheme coordinators. We demand that they respond to these allegations with transparency and accountability. Prove us wrong. Show the members that their concerns are unfounded, and restore faith in a system that, at its core, should be about safeguarding the future of educators, not enriching a select few at their expense.

The time for complacency has passed. It is imperative that teachers unite, question the motives of their leaders, and reclaim their voices in the affairs that directly impact their livelihoods. Only through collective action can we hope to dismantle the structures of exploitation and build a system that truly serves the interests of all educators.

Fẹ́mi Akínṣọlá