The Nigeria Union of Teachers has rejected the Federal Government’s decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education programme from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, warning that the move could further erode standards within the teaching profession.
National President of the union, Audu Amba, expressed the union’s opposition during a sensitisation workshop for teachers organised by 21st Century in collaboration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria in Abuja.
Amba lamented the declining quality of candidates applying to colleges of education, noting that many of the country’s top-performing students now prefer universities and other higher institutions, while NCE programmes increasingly serve as alternatives for candidates unable to secure admission elsewhere.
He warned that the trend poses a serious threat to the future of education in Nigeria, stressing that teacher training institutions should attract some of the nation’s best students rather than becoming a second-choice option.
According to him, colleges of education should prioritise candidates with strong academic performance and high UTME scores to strengthen the quality of future teachers.
“Why can’t we now say that anyone going to College of Education to become a teacher tomorrow must be among the highest-scoring candidates in UTME?” Amba asked.
“Colleges of Education are supposed to have the best candidates, but unfortunately, when people fail to secure university admission, they are told to go and manage NCE,” he added.
In her keynote address, Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Ronke Soyombo, emphasised the urgent need to prepare teachers for the realities of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
She stated that the future of Nigeria’s education sector depends largely on teachers who are technologically driven, professionally competent, innovative and capable of equipping students with relevant modern skills.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr Iyabo Ali, called for continuous training and capacity development for teachers.
He stressed the importance of educators consistently upgrading their digital knowledge and innovative skills in line with global education standards.
Other stakeholders at the workshop, including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Dr Mary Aba, and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, urged stronger collaboration and commitment to professionalism within the education sector.
Senator Moro, however, expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of Nigeria’s education system, stating that more than 70 per cent of schools across the country lack conducive environments for effective teaching and learning.
He warned that the widening gap between teachers and the conditions under which they work could undermine the country’s educational foundation and long-term national development.
