The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) says it is implementing fast-tracked training and certification programmes to bridge the country’s shortfall of more than 194,000 qualified teachers.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Briefas part of activities marking World Teachers’ Day 2025, TRCN Registrar Ronke Soyombo said the council has introduced reforms to make it easier for qualified individuals to enter the teaching profession—without compromising standards.
During the programme monitored in Lagos, Soyomboexplained that the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) has been redesigned to accelerate certification for graduates from other disciplines who are already teaching.
“We have shortened the Professional Diploma in Education from one year to six months so that unqualified but experienced teachers can quickly acquire the required professional credentials,” she said.
She noted that many Nigerians with degrees in other fields are passionate about teaching but lack formal pedagogy training or certification. The redesigned PDE, alongside the TRCN’s Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE), aims to close this gap.
According to her, the PQE now assesses teachers in literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, pedagogy, and safeguarding, reflecting the core skills required in modern classrooms.
To encourage peer learning, the TRCN has also introduced a “teachers supporting teachers” model, under which experienced educators mentor colleagues by sharing lesson plans and teaching strategies.
However, Soyombo acknowledged that poor remuneration remains a major challenge, particularly in private schools.
“Some private school teachers still earn as little as ₦20,000 to ₦25,000 monthly,” she said. “We must raise the profile and morale of teachers if we truly want to build human capital. A lot of states pay well, but many others still lag behind.”
She called for sustained investment in teacher welfare and professional growth, stressing that teachers are central to achieving Nigeria’s development goals.
