The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr. Angela Ajala, has warned that Nigeria could experience a severe shortage of teachers in its basic education sector within the next six years if urgent steps are not taken to increase enrollment in teacher-training institutions.
Ajala made the disclosure while receiving members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. She stressed that teachers remain the foundation of national development and that the quality of a country’s education system is directly linked to the quality of its teachers.
According to her, every profession depends on teachers for its development, noting that engineers, doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, politicians, and other leaders all begin their journeys under the guidance of educators. She emphasized that strengthening teacher education is essential to securing Nigeria’s future.
The NCCE boss expressed concern over the declining interest in the teaching profession, attributing the trend to years of neglect and a growing perception that teaching is a career option of last resort. She explained that this negative perception has contributed significantly to the sharp drop in enrollment across Colleges of Education nationwide.
Ajala revealed that some institutions now record extremely low student numbers, with only a handful of learners spread across multiple academic programmes. She warned that the current enrollment trend poses a serious threat to the country’s ability to produce enough qualified teachers to meet future demands.
She called on key stakeholders, especially media practitioners, to support efforts aimed at restoring the prestige of the teaching profession and encouraging more young people to pursue careers in education.
Describing education journalists as important partners in the ongoing transformation of the teacher education sector, Ajala said the media has a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing policy discussions, and changing societal attitudes toward teaching.
She urged journalists to provide balanced and responsible coverage that highlights the importance of teacher education and its contribution to national growth.
The Executive Secretary also defended the Federal Government’s decision to remove the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for admission into Colleges of Education. According to her, the policy was introduced to address declining enrollment figures and ensure an adequate supply of teachers rather than lower academic standards.
Ajala argued that UTME should be viewed primarily as a placement examination and not the sole measure of a student’s academic potential. She noted that the decision was based on research, evidence, and projections regarding the future needs of Nigeria’s education sector.
She further highlighted reforms being implemented across Colleges of Education, including the dual mandate policy, which permits institutions to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degrees.
According to her, the initiative is expected to make Colleges of Education more attractive by providing students with opportunities to earn multiple qualifications and acquire internationally recognized skills that enhance their employability and competitiveness in the global labour market.
Ajala also disclosed that the Commission is currently reviewing teacher education curricula across the country to ensure alignment with global standards and emerging trends in education.
While maintaining that Nigeria’s teacher education curriculum remains comparable to those of leading education systems worldwide, she identified effective implementation and improving public perception of the profession as the major challenges that must be addressed.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Mr. Chuks Ukwuatu, congratulated Ajala on her appointment as the first female Executive Secretary of the NCCE. He also assured the Commission of the association’s commitment to objective and constructive reporting on education-related issues.
Ukwuatu further informed the Commission about ECAN’s upcoming Education Conference and Awards, which is expected to bring together stakeholders to evaluate ongoing reforms in the education sector under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
