It was formed to create a united front for practitioners of the teaching profession in the country.
The union was formally inaugurated in 1931, it came about partly as a result of vulnerabilities exposed by the Great Depression, which led to cuts in teachers salaries and a seemingly lack job security.
The use of irregular and unpredictable educational codes for teachers and salary cuts led to an increase in teachers associations mushrooming in various southern Nigerian cities, particularly in Calabar, Lagos, and Abeokuta.
The various associations, however, realized that harmonizing the objectives of the groups to bring about a united front will create a powerful vocal union for the interest of the teachers.
To some extent, the union has live up to it expectation as it has provided an umbrella body for the teachers of the country.