Federal Government Opens Applications for Six-Month Teacher Certification Programme

The Federal Government has opened applications for a six-month teacher certification programme designed to provide professional training and certification opportunities for Nigerians who are already working as teachers but do not possess formal teaching qualifications.

The initiative, known as the Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), is targeted at bridging the gap between classroom experience and professional teacher certification while strengthening the quality of teaching across the country.

According to information released by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), applications for the first batch of the programme are currently open and will close on September 18, 2026.

The programme is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) and TRCN.

The initiative is particularly aimed at non-professional teachers currently working in public and private schools, community instructors and volunteer educators who possess academic qualifications but have not undergone formal teacher-training programmes.

Applicants are required to have a minimum of 24 months of classroom teaching experience to qualify for the programme.

Two Certification Pathways Available:

The ATPP provides different pathways based on applicants’ existing academic qualifications.

Nigerians who hold a Bachelor’s degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in a non-education discipline can apply through the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) pathway.

The PGDE pathway runs for six months and consists of four months of coursework followed by two months of supervised teaching practice, giving participants both theoretical knowledge and practical classroom experience.

Meanwhile, holders of National Diploma (ND) and Ordinary National Diploma (OND) qualifications who are currently engaged in teaching can apply through the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) pathway.

The PDE programme also lasts for six months and combines academic learning with practical teaching experience.

Documents Applicants Must Provide:

Applicants are expected to submit several documents and personal details as part of the application process.

These include:

– Valid National Identification Number (NIN)

– Academic certificate

– Evidence of teaching experience

– Valid email address

– Phone number

Acceptable evidence of teaching experience may include appointment letters, employer attestations or other official records demonstrating that the applicant is actively involved in teaching.

What Happens After the Programme?

Successful completion of the ATPP will provide participants with an opportunity to proceed towards formal professional recognition as teachers.

Participants who complete the programme, successfully undertake their supervised teaching practice and satisfy the required assessment conditions will become eligible to sit for the TRCN Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE).

Candidates who successfully pass the qualifying examination can then proceed to register as professional teachers under the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.

The programme fee is currently listed at ₦200,000 per participant on the ATPP platform.

With the application window for the first batch closing on September 18, 2026, eligible teachers and educators seeking formal professional certification are expected to complete their applications before the deadline.