The Federal Government of Nigeria has rolled out a new directive mandating all secondary schools in the country both public and private to ensure their teachers are fully certified or risk losing accreditation as centres for national examinations. The policy covers the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary Certificate Examinations (SAISSCE).
According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the move is part of government’s renewed efforts to professionalise the teaching sector. Only teachers who are duly registered and licensed with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) will be recognised in the accreditation process. He stressed that the days of schools relying on uncertified teachers to prepare students for national exams are numbered.
The enforcement will be rolled out in phases, beginning with WASSCE in March 2027. NABTEB will follow in May, while NECO and SAISSCE will take effect from June 2027. Schools that fail to meet the requirements by these dates will be barred from serving as exam centres.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Ministry has set benchmark for compliance. By 2026, schools must achieve at least 75 percent certification of their teaching staff. By 2027, full compliance of 100 percent will be mandatory. State governments have also been directed to monitor both public and private schools under their jurisdiction to guarantee compliance within the two-year window.
For teachers without education degrees but with classroom experience, the government has created a pathway through the National Teachers Institute (NTI). These teachers can enrol in abridged professional certification programmes lasting three to six months, after which they can register with TRCN and obtain licences to continue teaching legally.
The announcement has triggered mixed reactions across the education sector. While many stakeholders applaud the policy as a step towards improving teaching standards and safeguarding students’ future, some private school owners worry about the financial strain of ensuring all staff are certified. Rural schools, in particular, may face greater challenges in meeting the deadline due to the high number of unqualified teachers in their employ.
In essence, the Federal Government is using exam accreditation as a powerful tool to enforce standards in education. By mid-2027, only schools with qualified and licensed teachers will have the full privilege of hosting national examinations a move authorities say is necessary to restore credibility and professionalism in Nigeria’s education system.
