The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has highlighted the alarming decline in the number of teachers available to educate the nation’s youth.
This revelation comes in the wake of a report released in 2024 by a high-level panel on the teaching profession established by the United Nations, which underscores a similar crisis affecting the global community.
The situation has been exacerbated by a significant exodus of teachers leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad, driven by the diminishing prospects within the profession.
Dr. Stella-Maria Nwokeocha, the Acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of TRCN, confirmed this pressing issue during a media interaction on Monday. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, which has prompted the upcoming 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the global implications, Nwokeocha recalled the words of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who raised this concern during the inaugural “Transforming Education Summit” in 2022. “Teachers, teaching and the teaching profession” was one of the five critical tracks of the Summit, emphasizing the central role educators play in shaping future generations.
The UN report, according to Nwokeocha, revealed “a dramatic shortage of teachers worldwide” and highlighted the plight of millions of educators who lack the necessary support, skills, and ongoing training to adapt to the rapidly evolving educational landscape.
“Its recommendations further call for urgent action to address serious issues in the teaching profession that pertain to pre-service teacher education and continuous professional development,” she stated.
Nwokeocha pointed out that Nigeria, often referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” bears a substantial share of this teacher shortage crisis. She stressed the importance of continually updating the professional skills and competencies of teachers to align with both national and international educational standards.
“This is why the 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria, scheduled for October, is a special response to the emerging global, continental, and national issues of interest to the teaching profession and education in Nigeria,” she explained.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Advancing Teacher Professionalization in Nigeria Towards Education 2030: Challenges, Strategies and Prospects.” Nwokeocha indicated that the conference will focus on strategies for enhancing quality teaching and lifelong learning, as well as sharing best practices for the continuous professional development of teachers, particularly in relation to the knowledge, skills, attitudes, conduct, and orientation necessary for modern education.
