Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has warned that Nigeria risks a severe teacher shortage and wider national development setbacks unless urgent reforms revive interest in teacher education.
Speaking during a meeting with the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, NCCE Executive Secretary Angela Ajala said the future of every profession depends on the quality of teachers.
“If teacher education fails, the country will suffer greatly. Every doctor, engineer, politician, entrepreneur and professional begins their journey in the classroom under a teacher,” she said.
Ajala described years of neglect and declining public regard for teachers as a major threat to the education sector, arguing that teaching has increasingly been viewed as a profession of last resort.
She warned that poor teaching standards could have long-term consequences for national development.
“A bad vehicle can be fixed, but the effect of poor teaching on a child may last forever,” she added.
The NCCE chief defended the decision to remove the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for admission into Colleges of Education, saying the measure was introduced to address falling enrolment rather than lower academic standards.
According to her, some institutions now record fewer than 30 students across several programmes, raising fears of a future teacher deficit.
“If nothing changes, there may not be enough teachers for the country in the near future,” she cautioned.
Ajala disclosed that ongoing reforms include a dual-mandate system that will allow graduates to earn teaching qualifications alongside degree certificates and globally recognised skills credentials.
She also called on journalists to support efforts to restore the dignity and public image of the teaching profession.
Earlier, ECAN Chairman Chuks Ukwuatu pledged the association’s support for fair and professional reporting on education reforms.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Korede Abdullah 
Otamere Gladness 