Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Ajala, has issued a stark warning that Nigeria faces a severe teacher shortage within the next six years if enrolment into teacher-training institutions is not significantly increased.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, Ajala lamented what she described as decades of neglect, misrepresentation, and diminished respect for the teaching profession.
She therefore stressed that the time had come to restore teachers to their rightful place at the centre of national development:
“If you get it wrong with a teacher, just know that Nigeria is finished. Every engineer, doctor, scientist, entrepreneur, politician and leader passes through the hands of a teacher. Teacher education lies at the heart of national development”, she said.
The NCCE chief challenged the long-standing societal narrative that teaching was a profession of last resort, describing it as a dangerous misconception that had undermined the country’s education system.
According to her, teachers wield more influence over the future of a nation than many professions, noting that while a mechanic can repair a damaged vehicle, a poorly trained teacher can permanently damage generations of learners.
“You can fix a faulty car. But when a teacher damages a child in the classroom, that damage can last a lifetime. Those children become the future professionals and leaders of society,” she said.
Ajala identified the media as a critical partner in reversing negative perceptions about teaching, urging education journalists to become active participants in the ongoing reforms within the teacher education sector.
“You are not just reporters; you are reformers,” she told the ECAN delegation, led by the chairman, Mr. Chucks Ukwuatu.
She added: “What you report shapes public opinion, influences policy conversations and changes mindsets. We need responsible reporting that reflects the true importance of teacher education.”
She recalled a time when teachers commanded immense respect in Nigerian communities, serving as trusted authorities whose words carried significant weight.
“Something went wrong along the way. We moved from a society where teachers were highly respected to one where people say, ‘If you have nothing else to do, go and become a teacher.’ That narrative must change,” she said.
The NCCE boss also defended the recent policy removing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for admission into Colleges of Education, dismissing criticisms that the move lowers academic standards.
She argued that UTME was merely a placement and ranking examination and should not be treated as the ultimate measure of academic capability.
“What is UTME? It is a two-hour examination. It is not an achievement test. Decisions like these were not taken arbitrarily; they were based on evidence, data and projections about the future of teacher education in Nigeria,” she explained.
Ajala warned that Nigeria faces a severe teacher shortage within the next six years if enrolment into teacher-training institutions is not significantly increased.
“In some colleges, you find only about 30 students spread across 10 programmes. The attrition rate is alarming. If we do not act now, Nigeria may not have enough teachers in the near future,” she cautioned.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, Ajala said the introduction of the dual mandate for Colleges of Education would position graduates for greater competitiveness in the global labour market.
Under the arrangement, she explained, students would graduate with multiple qualifications, including the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), a degree and globally recognised skills certification.
“Who else offers that opportunity? Colleges of Education are becoming institutions where students can earn multiple qualifications and acquire international skills that make them globally competitive,” she said.
She further revealed that the Commission was revising curricula across Colleges of Education to align teacher training with international standards and emerging global realities.
“People often cite Finland, Singapore and other countries as models. When you compare their curricula with ours, you will find that Nigeria is not far behind. What we need is proper implementation and a change in perception,” she stated.
Earlier, ECAN Chairman, Mr. Chuks Ukwuatu, congratulated Ajala on her appointment as the first female Executive Secretary of the NCCE, describing her emergence as a milestone in the history of the Commission.
He assured the Commission of the Association’s commitment to objective and constructive reporting of education policies and programmes.
Ukwuatu said ECAN, which comprises education journalists from print, broadcast and online media organisations, remained committed to advancing national development through informed coverage of education issues.
He also informed the NCCE boss about the association’s forthcoming Education Conference and Awards, expected to bring together stakeholders to assess the impact of reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector.
The visit ended with both parties expressing readiness to deepen collaboration aimed at strengthening public understanding of teacher education and accelerating reforms across Nigeria’s Colleges of Education.
