The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s proposal to exempt candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Newsonspot reports that while speaking during a sensitisation workshop for teachers organised by 21st Century in collaboration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria in Abuja, the National President of the union, Audu Amba, warned that the policy could further weaken standards within the teaching profession.
Amba expressed concern over the declining quality of candidates applying to colleges of education, noting that many of Nigeria’s top-performing students now prefer universities and other tertiary institutions, while NCE programmes are increasingly viewed as alternatives for candidates unable to secure university admission.
According to him, the development poses a serious threat to the future of education in the country, stressing that teacher education programmes should attract some of the brightest students in Nigeria.
He argued that colleges of education should admit candidates with outstanding UTME scores instead of becoming institutions for students seeking second-choice admission opportunities.
“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,” Amba stated.
In her keynote address, the Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Ronke Soyombo, highlighted the urgent need to prepare teachers for the realities of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
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She stressed that the future of Nigeria’s education sector depends on teachers who are technologically driven, innovative, professionally competent, and capable of equipping students with relevant modern-day skills.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr Iyabo Ali, called for continuous capacity building for teachers to help them meet global educational standards.
Other stakeholders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Dr Mary Aba, and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, also advocated stronger collaboration and commitment to professionalism within the education sector.
Senator Moro, however, raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of schools across Nigeria, lamenting that over 70 per cent of schools lack a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
He warned that the growing gap between teachers and their working conditions could pose a serious threat to the nation’s educational development and future.
