NCCE Boss defends scrapping UTME, warns of teacher shortage

By Mariam Abeeb

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr. Angela Ajala, has strongly defended the recent policy eliminating the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for admission into Colleges of Education.
Dismissing criticisms that the move degrades academic standards, Ajala argued that the UTME is merely a placement and ranking tool rather than an ultimate measure of academic capability.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja, Ajala lamented decades of systemic neglect and diminished respect for the teaching profession, urging a collective effort to reposition teachers at the center of national development.
Addressing concerns over the policy shift, Ajala emphasized that the decision was rooted in data and strategic projections rather than whim.
“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,” Ajala stated.
She warned that Nigeria’s national development is intrinsically tied to the quality of its educators, noting that professionals across all sectors—from doctors and scientists to politicians—are shaped by teachers.
Contrastingly, she challenged the societal narrative that views teaching as a profession of last resort.
“You can fix a faulty car,” Ajala noted. “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 added.
The NCCE chief raised an alarm over a looming manpower crisis, warning that Nigeria faces a severe teacher shortage within the next six years if enrollment into training institutions does not see a drastic increase.
Ajala revealed that some colleges currently see alarming attrition rates, with as few as 30 students spread across 10 separate academic programs.
To boost competitiveness and attract talent, the NCCE is introducing a dual mandate.
Under this framework, graduates will exit colleges with multiple qualifications, including the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), a university degree, and globally recognized skills certifications.
The Commission is actively revising curricula to meet international benchmarks.
Ajala asserted that when compared to global education leaders like Finland and Singapore, Nigeria’s curriculum structure is competitive—the core challenge lies in execution and public perception.
Ajala called on education journalists to transition from passive reporters to active reformers, emphasizing that media coverage heavily influences public opinion and policy mindsets regarding teacher education.
Earlier in the meeting, ECAN Chairman Mr. Chuks Ukwuatu congratulated Ajala on her milestone appointment as the first female Executive Secretary of the NCCE.
He assured the Commission of the association’s commitment to objective, constructive reporting on educational reforms.
Ukwuatu also briefed the NCCE head on ECAN’s upcoming Education Conference and Awards, which will bring stakeholders together to evaluate the impact of ongoing educational reforms under the current administration’s agenda.