Abuja | September 11, 2025
The Federal Government has issued a decisive directive barring schools that employ unqualified teachers from serving as centres for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
The Ministry of Education explained that the move is part of ongoing reforms to restore credibility in Nigeria’s education system and ensure that students preparing for national and regional examinations are tutored by qualified and certified teachers.
According to the directive, schools that fail to meet the standard will not be allowed to host the exams, while those already accredited but found non-compliant risk being delisted. Examination bodies have been instructed to work closely with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to verify the status of teaching staff in accredited centres.
Government officials emphasized that the policy underscores the administration’s commitment to raising educational standards and improving students’ performance in public examinations.
While education stakeholders welcomed the move as a step toward professionalism in the sector, analysts warned that the policy could expose the shortage of qualified teachers in rural and low-income areas, potentially disrupting access to examinations for thousands of students.
The Federal Government, however, assured that it will work with state governments and school proprietors to provide support that will help bridge gaps in teacher certification and deployment across the country.
