FG Makes TRCN Certification Mandatory for Teachers in Secondary Schools by 2027

The Federal Government has directed that by 2027, all secondary school teachers in Nigeria must be duly certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) or their schools will lose accreditation as examination centres.

This directive was contained in a memo issued on Thursday by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to the Registrar and Chief Executive of the TRCN. The move, according to Alausa, is part of government efforts to strengthen professionalism and restore standards in the teaching profession.

From 2027, accreditation of public and private secondary schools for national examinations—including the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), National Examinations Council (NECO) and Nigerian-British International Assessment Scheme Senior Certificate Examination (SAISSCE)—will depend on teachers’ TRCN certification.

“Effective from March 2027 for WASSCE, May 2027 for NABTEB, June 2027 for NECO and June 2027 for SAISSCE, any school whose teachers are not duly registered and licensed with the TRCN shall be disqualified from serving as an examination centre” Alausa said.

He further directed state governments to implement measures to ensure compliance across both public and private schools. By 2026, schools must achieve at least 75% compliance, with full compliance required in 2027.

To aid the transition, the minister encouraged teachers who are non-education graduates but have at least one year of classroom experience to enrol in the National Teachers Institute (NTI). Through NTI’s abridged certification programme—lasting between three and six months—such teachers can qualify for TRCN registration and licensing.

Alausa urged stakeholders to prioritise awareness and sensitisation campaigns to prevent disruptions during accreditation. He also recalled his earlier warning that unqualified teachers must be phased out to safeguard Nigeria’s education system and restore dignity to the profession.

The policy underscores the government’s commitment to raising standards in Nigerian secondary schools, ensuring that only qualified and licensed teachers are entrusted with preparing students for national examinations.