Education advocate Femi Aderibigbe has expressed concerns over the Federal Government’s recent decision to exempt candidates applying for National Certificate in Education (NCE) programs from taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Aderibigbe argues that the move may not effectively address the teacher shortages currently plaguing Nigeria’s education sector.
Aderibigbe, who has previously served as Advocacy Manager for Malala Fund in Nigeria and currently chairs the Board of ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication, believes the policy focuses more on easing access to teacher training institutions rather than tackling the deeper, systemic issues affecting the teaching profession.
In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna, Aderibigbe pointed out that while Nigeria faces a real teacher shortage, the policy does not address critical factors such as poor teacher welfare, delayed salary payments, overcrowded classrooms, and limited professional development. These challenges, he argues, are significant deterrents for many potential teachers.
“The teacher shortage is a genuine concern, but the solution announced may not effectively address the root causes,” Aderibigbe said.
The Federal Government’s decision, announced by Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, stipulates that candidates applying for NCE and National Diploma courses in non-technology agriculture will no longer be required to sit for the UTME, provided they have a minimum of four O-level credit passes. Alausa emphasized that this policy change is intended to reduce the administrative pressure on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which processed over 2.2 million candidates for the 2026 UTME.
While Aderibigbe acknowledges the administrative strain, he believes that the exemption alone will not resolve the teacher shortages if state governments do not significantly increase teacher recruitment and investment in education.
Aderibigbe pointed out that even with shortages in public schools, some states have gone years without recruiting new teachers. He emphasized that the issue lies not just with entry into teacher training but with the hiring and deployment of trained teachers. “Removing the UTME requirement does not automatically translate to more teachers in classrooms,” he stated.
Another major concern raised by Aderibigbe is the potential impact of the UTME exemption on the quality of teacher education. He noted that the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) primarily verifies credentials but does not assess candidates’ teaching aptitude or academic readiness, which are essential for quality education.
To address these gaps, Aderibigbe called on the Federal Ministry of Education to clarify the competency assessment measures that would guide admissions into NCE programs under the new system. He also urged the National Commission for Colleges of Education to establish a comprehensive framework for assessing candidates admitted without UTME scores.
Aderibigbe concluded by emphasizing that improving teacher welfare, offering professional development opportunities, and providing institutional support will be far more effective in attracting qualified individuals into the teaching profession. He urged the government to prioritize stronger investments in teacher recruitment, retention, and overall welfare to improve educational outcomes across Nigeria.
“A child’s right to education includes access to qualified and well-supported teachers,” Aderibigbe added.
