The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr. Angela Ajala, has defended the recent policy removing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for admission into Colleges of Education, dismissing concerns that the move would lower academic standards.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, Ajala said the decision was based on evidence and projections aimed at addressing challenges facing teacher education in the country.
She argued that UTME is primarily a placement and ranking examination and should not be regarded as the sole measure of academic ability.
“What is UTME? It is a two-hour examination. It is not an achievement test. Decisions like these were not taken arbitrarily; they were based on evidence, data and projections about the future of teacher education in Nigeria,” she said.
Ajala raised concerns over a looming teacher shortage, warning that Nigeria could face a severe deficit of qualified teachers within the next six years if enrolment in teacher-training institutions is not significantly increased.
“In some colleges, you find only about 30 students spread across 10 programmes. The attrition rate is alarming. If we do not act now, Nigeria may not have enough teachers in the near future,” she cautioned.
The NCCE boss also warned that Nigeria’s future could be jeopardised if urgent attention is not given to teacher education, stressing that no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.
“If you get it wrong with a teacher, just know that Nigeria is finished. Every engineer, doctor, scientist, entrepreneur, politician and leader passes through the hands of a teacher. Teacher education lies at the heart of national development,” she stated.
Ajala lamented what she described as decades of neglect, misrepresentation and declining respect for the teaching profession, calling for efforts to restore teachers to their rightful place in society.
She challenged the widespread perception of teaching as a profession of last resort, describing the narrative as a dangerous misconception that has weakened the country’s education system.
According to her, the impact of a poorly trained teacher can have far-reaching consequences on future generations.
“You can fix a faulty car. But when a teacher damages a child in the classroom, that damage can last a lifetime. Those children become the future professionals and leaders of society,” she said.
Ajala identified the media as a critical partner in changing negative perceptions about teaching and urged education journalists to support ongoing reforms in the sector.
“You are not just reporters; you are reformers. What you report shapes public opinion, influences policy conversations and changes mindsets. We need responsible reporting that reflects the true importance of teacher education,” she told the ECAN delegation led by its Chairman, Mr. Chuks Ukwuatu.
Recalling a period when teachers commanded immense respect in Nigerian communities, she said the profession had suffered a decline in status over the years.
“Something went wrong along the way. We moved from a society where teachers were highly respected to one where people say, ‘If you have nothing else to do, go and become a teacher.’ That narrative must change,” she added.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, Ajala said the introduction of the dual mandate for Colleges of Education would improve graduates’ competitiveness in the global labour market.
Under the arrangement, students will graduate with multiple qualifications, including the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), a degree and internationally recognised skills certification.
“Colleges of Education are becoming institutions where students can earn multiple qualifications and acquire international skills that make them globally competitive,” she said.
She further disclosed that the Commission is reviewing curricula across Colleges of Education to align teacher training with global standards and emerging realities.
Earlier, ECAN Chairman, Mr. Chuks Ukwuatu, congratulated Ajala on her appointment as the first female Executive Secretary of the NCCE and assured the Commission of the association’s commitment to objective and constructive reporting of education policies and programmes.
He also informed the NCCE leadership about ECAN’s forthcoming Education Conference and Awards, which will bring together stakeholders to assess the impact of reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector.
The visit ended with both parties expressing commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at improving public understanding of teacher education and accelerating reforms across Nigeria’s colleges of education.