The Federal Ministry of Education has directed that all teachers in Nigeria must be fully certified and licensed before the end of the 2026/2027 academic session as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism in the education sector.
The directive, to be enforced by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), aims to address growing concerns over the presence of unqualified individuals in classrooms across the country.
According to the ministry, the new policy requires every teacher to obtain valid professional certification and licensing, ensuring that only properly qualified educators are allowed to teach in Nigerian schools.
Teachers were advised to access the council’s official portal to obtain or renew their licences, which will remain valid for three years.
The ministry also stated that certified teachers seeking employment opportunities outside Nigeria would be issued Letters of Professional Standing, a move designed to enhance the global mobility and competitiveness of Nigerian educators.
As part of the strengthened regulatory framework, the council announced that a mandatory induction programme would now precede full registration of teachers.
It further disclosed that individuals with criminal records would be disqualified from registration, noting that the measure is intended to safeguard professional standards and uphold integrity within the teaching profession.
The ministry expressed confidence that the directive would improve teaching quality nationwide and contribute to raising educational standards across all levels of learning.
