The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has opposed the Federal Government’s decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE, programme from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, warning that the move could further undermine standards in teacher education.
The union’s National President, Audu Amba, made the position known on Tuesday in Abuja during a sensitisation workshop for teachers organised by 21st Century in collaboration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN.
Amba expressed concern over what he described as a steady decline in the quality of candidates gaining admission into colleges of education, noting that many top-performing students now prioritise universities, leaving education colleges as last-choice institutions.
He warned that the trend poses a long-term risk to the quality of teaching in Nigeria, insisting that entry into the teaching profession should attract some of the country’s strongest academic performers.
According to him, colleges of education should not be seen as fallback institutions for candidates who fail to secure university admission.
“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?” He 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, the Registrar of the TRCN, Dr Ronke Soyombo, stressed the need to urgently reposition teachers for the demands of a fast-changing digital economy.
She noted that the future of education in Nigeria depends on educators who are technologically skilled, innovative, professionally competent, and capable of equipping learners with modern-day competencies.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr Iyabo Ali, called for continuous capacity development for teachers, saying educators must consistently upgrade their digital and innovative skills to meet global standards.
Other stakeholders at the event, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Dr Mary Aba, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration and professional commitment within the education sector.
Senator Moro, however, raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of Nigeria’s education system, warning that over 70 percent of schools lack adequate learning and teaching facilities.
He cautioned that the growing gap between teachers and their working environment could pose a serious threat to the country’s educational foundation and future development.
