FG Directs Teachers to Obtain Full Certification to Remain Employed, Sets Deadline
- The Federal Ministry of Education has directed that all teachers must be fully certified and licensed by the end of the 2026/2027 academic session
- The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria had been mandated to enforce the policy and restrict classroom access to qualified educators only
- Authorities introduced mandatory induction and stricter background checks to improve professionalism and protect learners
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Nigeria’s education authorities have set a firm deadline for reforming the teaching profession, directing all teachers to be fully certified and licensed by the end of the 2026/2027 academic session.
The move is aimed at removing unqualified individuals from classrooms and strengthening professional standards nationwide.
Source: Facebook
The directive was issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and will be enforced by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, NTA reported.
Under the policy, only teachers who meet approved professional requirements will be allowed to teach in public and private schools across the country.
Certification deadline set nationwide
Education officials said teachers are expected to obtain or renew their licences through the council’s official online portal. Each licence will remain valid for three years, after which renewal will be required.
The ministry said the timeline gives educators sufficient opportunity to regularise their status before enforcement begins.
The policy also introduces additional benefits for certified teachers seeking opportunities beyond Nigeria. Qualified educators who intend to work abroad will be issued letters of Professional Standing, a document designed to confirm their credentials and improve international acceptance.
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New safeguards for teaching profession
As part of the updated regulatory framework, a mandatory induction programme will now be required before full registration. Authorities said the induction is intended to prepare teachers for professional responsibilities and reinforce ethical conduct within the sector.
The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria also confirmed that individuals with criminal records will no longer be eligible for registration. Officials said the measure is necessary to protect learners and maintain integrity within the profession.
Education stakeholders have long raised concerns about the presence of untrained teachers in classrooms, particularly at basic and secondary levels. The ministry said the new directive responds directly to those concerns and aligns with broader efforts to improve learning outcomes.
FG to curb O'level malpractice
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the federal government rolled out fresh measures aimed at tackling examination malpractice in the Senior School Certificate Examination, a key requirement for admission into tertiary institutions across the country.
The new steps apply to examinations conducted by the West African Examination Council, the National Examination Council and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board.
The reforms were announced on Monday through a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo. According to the statement, the measures are part of broader efforts to improve credibility, transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s assessment framework.
UTME 2026: JAMB releases registration guidelines
Legit.ng also reported that JAMB released detailed guidelines for the registration of candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Prospective candidates are required to have a National Identification Number (NIN), an email address, among others.
Legit.ng reports that the JAMB 2026 UTME form will be on sale from Friday, January 31, 2026, until Saturday, March 8, 2026
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
