• Six-month programme to provide professional qualification pathway for serving teachers
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to train and professionalise 250,000 serving teachers who are currently teaching without formal professional teaching qualifications.
The initiative, known as the Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), is designed to give eligible teachers an opportunity to obtain recognised professional qualifications while continuing with their teaching responsibilities.
The programme is being coordinated through the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) as part of efforts to strengthen teaching standards and improve the quality of education in Nigerian schools.
The development was reported on Friday, September 11, 2026, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to address gaps in teacher professionalisation across the country.
Under the ATPP, eligible teachers will undergo a six-month training programme combining academic instruction with practical teaching experience. The pathway is specifically designed for people already working in classrooms but who do not have recognised professional education qualifications.
Depending on their existing academic qualifications, participants may be placed on either the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) or Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) pathway.
The programme is expected to provide teachers with stronger grounding in areas such as pedagogy, educational psychology, curriculum development, assessment, inclusive education and effective classroom management.
A key component of the initiative is practical teaching experience. This is intended to ensure that participants do not only acquire academic knowledge but can also apply professional teaching methods effectively in real classroom situations.
The professionalisation drive is also linked to the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), which regulates the teaching profession and oversees professional registration and licensing.
Successful participants are expected to proceed through the relevant professional assessment requirements before becoming eligible for the appropriate professional recognition.
The Federal Government’s intervention comes amid continuing concerns about the quality and professional preparedness of teachers working across Nigeria’s education system.
By focusing on teachers already in service, the ATPP provides a route for experienced classroom instructors to obtain professional credentials without having to abandon their existing teaching roles.
The programme also reflects the government’s broader emphasis on improving teacher quality as a way of strengthening learning outcomes and raising standards in Nigerian schools.
With 250,000 teachers targeted, the initiative represents a significant intervention in the country’s education sector and could have a direct impact on schools and millions of pupils if successfully implemented.
The Federal Government is expected to work with relevant education agencies and institutions to ensure that participating teachers receive the required training, assessment and professional support.
For teachers currently working without recognised professional qualifications, the programme offers an opportunity to formalise their professional status while developing the skills needed to meet the demands of modern classrooms.
