The National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, has defended the recent decision to remove the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, requirement for admission into Colleges of Education.
Executive Secretary of NCCE, Dr. Angela Ajala, said the policy is a strategic intervention aimed at addressing Nigeria’s looming teacher shortage rather than lowering academic standards.
Ajala made the clarification on Tuesday in Abuja, while receiving members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria, ECAN, during a courtesy visit to the Commission.
She maintained that the examination is essentially a placement and ranking exercise and should not be regarded as the sole measure of academic ability.
According to her, the decision was informed by data, evidence and projections regarding the future needs of the education sector.
“What is UTME? It is a two-hour examination and not an achievement test. The decision was not taken arbitrarily; it was based on careful analysis of the realities and future demands of teacher education in Nigeria,” she said.
Ajala warned that the country could face a severe shortage of qualified teachers within the next six years if urgent steps are not taken to boost enrolment in teacher-training institutions.
She noted that some Colleges of Education currently have very low student populations across several programmes, a trend she described as unsustainable.
“If we fail to increase enrolment now, Nigeria may soon face a critical shortage of teachers. In some institutions, fewer than 30 students are enrolled across multiple programmes, and the attrition rate remains high,” she said.
While highlighting ongoing reforms within the sector, Ajala said the implementation of the dual mandate policy for Colleges of Education would enhance the employability and competitiveness of graduates.
Under the arrangement, students will be able to obtain multiple qualifications, including the Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE, a degree and internationally recognised skills certifications.
The NCCE boss stressed that teacher education remains the foundation of national development, warning that Nigeria’s future could be jeopardised if adequate attention is not given to the training and welfare of teachers.
According to her, every professional in society passes through the hands of a teacher, making the profession central to the country’s growth and development.
“If we get it wrong with teachers, we get it wrong with the nation. Every engineer, doctor, scientist, entrepreneur, politician and leader is first shaped by a teacher. Teacher education lies at the heart of national development,” she said.
Ajala lamented what she described as the gradual erosion of respect for the teaching profession, noting that the perception of teaching as a career of last resort has contributed significantly to the challenges facing the education sector.
She argued that teachers have a profound influence on society, adding that while technical mistakes in other professions can often be corrected, the impact of poor teaching can affect generations.
“A faulty vehicle can be repaired, but the consequences of poor teaching may remain with a child for life. Those children eventually become the professionals and leaders who shape society,” she said.
The NCCE boss called on the media to support efforts aimed at restoring the dignity and attractiveness of the teaching profession, describing education journalists as key partners in driving reform.
While addressing concerns over the removal of UTME as a requirement for admission into Colleges of Education,
She added that the Commission is also reviewing curricula across Colleges of Education to align teacher training with global best practices and emerging educational realities.
According to her, Nigeria’s teacher education curriculum compares favourably with those of leading education systems around the world, with the major challenge being effective implementation and public perception.
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 historic milestone for the Commission.
Ukwuatu assured the NCCE of the association’s commitment to objective, balanced and constructive reporting of education policies and programmes.
He said ECAN, which comprises education correspondents from print, broadcast and online media organisations, would continue to support efforts aimed at advancing national development through informed coverage of education issues.
He also informed the Executive Secretary about the association’s forthcoming Education Conference and Awards, which will bring together key stakeholders to assess the impact of reforms being implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector.
