Nigeria's teaching profession faces a serious threat, according to the Nigeria Union of Teachers. The union has come out strongly against the government's plan to allow education college applicants to skip the UTME exam.
Comrade Audu Titus Amba, NUT President, made his position clear during a conference in Abuja on Thursday. He spoke at an event focused on how teachers can embrace digital tools in the classroom.
Amba warned that the policy could weaken teacher quality across the country. He expressed shock at the Federal Government's decision to scrap JAMB requirements for education college candidates.
"Teaching should not be the last resort," he told attendees at the 21st Century Teacher initiative. In his view, nations that have developed rapidly built their progress on solid education foundations.
He outlined what successful countries do differently. They actively recruit their brightest students into teaching roles, he noted.
According to Amba, high-performing students in developed nations are encouraged to pursue teacher training. Those countries understand education shapes national progress, he explained.
Nigeria's situation presents a troubling contrast. Top students typically pursue other careers while education becomes a backup option, he lamented.
"We should not turn Colleges of Education into testing grounds," Amba stressed. Rather, teacher recruitment should prioritize the nation's best-performing students, he insisted.
His message was clear: quality education tomorrow requires intelligent, committed professionals hired today. Standards in the profession hang in the balance, he warned.
Ayodeji Ogunjobi, who organized the conference, explained why the event was necessary. Many teachers lack basic digital skills required for modern classrooms, he revealed.
Educators worldwide now teach across borders using virtual platforms and technology, Ogunjobi noted. Teachers must develop these competencies to remain effective, he added.
Mrs. Iyabo Ali represented the Education Minister at the gathering.
She called the initiative strategic and well-timed for Nigeria's education sector.
Ali confirmed that the ministry backs efforts to strengthen teacher capabilities. Twenty-first century competencies are no longer optional, she indicated.
Dr. (Mrs.) Ronke Soyombo, who heads the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, raised another concern. Outdated teaching methods simply cannot work in today's classrooms, she said.
"We cannot apply 19th-century teaching methodology in the 21st century," Soyombo stated plainly. Inadequate funding and weak digital infrastructure remain major obstacles, she identified.
Both challenges demand urgent government attention. Without resources and proper technology, teachers cannot deliver modern education, experts agree.
