The President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Titus Amba, has expressed concern over the Federal Government’s decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Amba spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during the 21st Century Teachers Workshop organised in collaboration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.
The Federal Government had announced at the 2026 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board that candidates applying for Nigeria Certificate in Education programmes would no longer be required to write the UTME.
Reacting to the policy, the NUT president warned that removing the examination requirement without proper safeguards could weaken teacher education and diminish public confidence in the teaching profession.
He also faulted the government for allegedly failing to consult critical stakeholders before introducing the policy.
According to Amba, reforms affecting institutions responsible for training teachers should involve relevant education stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and preserve professional standards.
“When you announce a waiver for students going to Colleges of Education, it gives people a different impression about the seriousness attached to producing credible teachers,” he said.
Amba stressed that teaching should not be treated as an open profession for people seeking temporary employment, insisting that proper screening and professional training remain vital.
“Teaching should not be seen as a stop-gap job. Like medicine, law, or journalism, it requires proper training, dedication, and commitment,” he added.
The NUT president also lamented the gradual disappearance of teachers’ training colleges, noting that the old system offered structured training and practical classroom experience before certification.
He argued that the absence of foundational teacher education had contributed to declining professional standards, with many graduates entering classrooms without adequate pedagogical knowledge.
Amba further urged the government to strengthen admission standards, improve teachers’ welfare, and invest more in teacher education and digital infrastructure.
He observed that many students in rural communities still lack access to computers and internet facilities needed for modern learning and computer-based examinations.
While backing the adoption of digital assessment systems, he called on the government to bridge infrastructure gaps to prevent students in disadvantaged communities from being excluded.
He also appealed for deliberate policies aimed at restoring public confidence in the teaching profession and making it more
