In a decisive move to professionalize teaching and raise education standards, the Federal Government has directed that all secondary school teachers in Nigeria must be certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) or risk disqualification of their schools as examination centres.
The directive was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a memo to the TRCN Registrar. The new policy, effective from 2027, ties accreditation of schools for major public examinations to teacher certification.
Schools Risk Losing Exam Centre Status
Dr. Alausa stressed that under the new rule, secondary schools that fail to comply will be barred from hosting examinations such as:
- WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate Examination) – Deadline: March 2027
- NABTEB (National Business and Technical Examinations Board) – Deadline: May 2027
- NECO (National Examinations Council) – Deadline: June 2027
- NBIAS/SAISSCE – Deadline: June 2027
:
“Any school whose teachers are not duly registered and licensed with the TRCN shall be disqualified from serving as an examination centre.”
Two-Year Compliance Window
To ensure a smooth transition, the Federal Government has given schools a two-year compliance window. By 2026, schools must achieve at least 75% compliance, and by 2027, full compliance (100%) will be required. Both public and private schools are affected, with state governments directed to enforce the directive.
Pathway for Non-Education Graduates
Acknowledging that many current teachers are not education graduates, the government has created a pathway for compliance. Teachers with at least 12 months of classroom experience can enroll in an abridged professional certification programme offered by the National Teachers Institute (NTI).
According to the minister, the NTI programme lasts between three to six months and qualifies participants for TRCN registration and licensing.
Raising Standards in Nigerian Education
This policy marks a major shift in Nigeria’s education sector, aimed at ensuring only qualified and licensed professionals deliver instruction in secondary schools. By enforcing TRCN certification, the government seeks to align teaching with international best practices and improve the quality of learning outcomes nationwide.
