The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Ajala, has warned that Nigeria’s future development is under threat unless urgent attention is given to teacher education, stressing that no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.
Ajala made the remarks on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 in Abuja while receiving members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) during a courtesy visit.
She lamented what she described as years of neglect and declining respect for the teaching profession, calling for a deliberate effort to restore teachers to their central role in national development.
“If you get it wrong with a teacher, Nigeria is finished. Every engineer, doctor, scientist, entrepreneur, politician and leader passes through the hands of a teacher. Teacher education lies at the heart of national development,” she said.
The NCCE chief rejected the perception of teaching as a profession of last resort, describing the notion as harmful to the country’s education system.
According to her, teachers have a far-reaching impact on society, warning that the consequences of poor teacher training can affect generations.
“You can repair a faulty vehicle, but when a teacher damages a child in the classroom, that damage can last a lifetime. Those children become the future professionals and leaders of society,” she stated.
Ajala identified the media as a critical partner in changing public perceptions about teaching and urged education journalists to support ongoing reforms in the teacher education sector.
“You are not just reporters; you are reformers. What you report shapes public opinion, influences policy conversations and changes mindsets. We need responsible reporting that reflects the true importance of teacher education,” she told the ECAN delegation led by its Chairman, Mr. Chuks Ukwuatu.
Reflecting on the profession’s declining status, she recalled a period when teachers enjoyed immense respect within Nigerian communities.
“Something went wrong along the way. We moved from a society where teachers were highly respected to one where people say, ‘If you have nothing else to do, go and become a teacher.’ That narrative must change,” she said.
Ajala also defended the recent policy removing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for admission into Colleges of Education, dismissing concerns that the decision would lower academic standards.
She argued that UTME is primarily a placement examination and not a comprehensive measure of a candidate’s academic potential.
“What is UTME? It is a two-hour examination. It is not an achievement test. Decisions like these were based on evidence, data and projections about the future of teacher education in Nigeria,” she explained.
The NCCE boss warned that Nigeria could face a serious shortage of qualified teachers within the next six years if enrolment in teacher-training institutions is not significantly increased.
“In some colleges, you find only about 30 students across 10 programmes. The attrition rate is alarming. If we do not act now, Nigeria may not have enough teachers in the near future,” she cautioned.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, Ajala said the introduction of the dual mandate for Colleges of Education would enhance the competitiveness of graduates in the global labour market.
She explained that students would graduate with multiple qualifications, including the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), a degree and internationally recognised skills certifications.
“Colleges of Education are becoming institutions where students can earn multiple qualifications and acquire global skills that make them internationally competitive,” she said.
Ajala further disclosed that the Commission is reviewing curricula across Colleges of Education to align teacher training with international best practices and emerging global trends.
“People often cite countries like Finland and Singapore as examples. When you compare their curricula with ours, Nigeria is not far behind. What we need is effective implementation and a change in perception,” she noted.
Earlier, ECAN Chairman, Mr. Chuks Ukwuatu, congratulated Ajala on her appointment as the first female Executive Secretary of the NCCE, describing it as a historic milestone for the Commission.
He assured the Commission of the association’s commitment to objective and constructive coverage of education policies and programmes.
Ukwuatu also informed the NCCE leadership about the association’s forthcoming Education Conference and Awards, which will bring together stakeholders to assess the impact of reforms being implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector.
The visit concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deeper collaboration aimed at strengthening public understanding of teacher education and accelerating reforms across Nigeria’s Colleges of Education.
