Hope Ajayi 
KADUNA, Nigeria – The Federal Government is set to professionalise about 250,000 serving teachers under a new six-month programme designed to help educators without recognised teaching qualifications obtain professional credentials without leaving the classroom.
The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, has been assigned to coordinate the Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), which is expected to commence in October 2026 under the supervision of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.
In a statement on Friday, the programme targets teachers currently serving in schools who have academic qualifications but lack professional teaching credentials.
Under the ATPP, serving teachers with degrees in non-education disciplines will be able to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
Those entering the programme from the National Diploma level will follow the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) route.
Both pathways will combine digital learning, virtual sessions, assessments and supervised teaching practice, allowing participants to acquire professional qualifications while continuing their teaching duties.
NTI will serve as the coordinating secretariat and work with key education agencies, including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) and National Universities Commission (NUC).
The programme will run for six months, comprising four months of instruction and two months of teaching practice.
The practicum will take place in participants’ existing schools and involve mentors and supervisors who will document classroom activities and assess the teachers’ practical competence.
The academic framework for both qualification routes has been reviewed and finalised, with modules developed by a panel of about 40 experts drawn from universities, colleges of education and relevant education agencies.
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Mirian Gom 
Oluwatobi Adu 