FG opens six-month teacher certification for BSc, HND, ND holders – How to Apply

The Federal Government has opened applications for a six-month professionalisation programme designed to help Nigerians who are currently teaching without formal professional teaching qualifications obtain recognised education credentials and become eligible for Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) registration.

The programme, known as the Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

The initiative is targeted at non-professional teachers who already possess academic qualifications but lack formal pedagogical training and professional certification.

Applications for Cohort 1 of the 2026–2027 ATPP programme are currently open and are scheduled to close on September 18, 2026.

The programme offers two major qualification pathways: the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for eligible holders of non-education bachelor’s degrees or HNDs, and the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) for eligible holders of ND or OND qualifications.

Who can apply for the ATPP?

The programme is designed primarily for serving teachers who are already working but do not have professional teaching qualifications.

Eligible applicants may be teaching in public and non-state schools, as well as in early childhood care, development and education, primary and secondary schools, technical and vocational education and training, non-formal education and alternative learning settings.

Community instructors and volunteer educators are also among those covered by the programme.

However, applicants seeking admission through the qualification pathways are required to have at least 24 months of classroom teaching experience.

This requirement means the programme is primarily intended to professionalise people who are already actively engaged in teaching rather than graduates seeking to enter the teaching profession for the first time.

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BSc and HND holders

Nigerians who hold a non-education bachelor’s degree or HND and are currently teaching can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) pathway.

The PGDE runs for six months, comprising four months of hybrid coursework and two months of supervised teaching practice.

The programme carries 40 credit units and is designed to provide participants with the pedagogical knowledge and practical skills required for professional teaching.

Applicants are required to provide a valid National Identification Number (NIN), their bachelor’s degree or HND certificate and evidence that they are currently teaching.

Acceptable evidence of teaching may include an employment or appointment letter, an attestation from a headteacher, principal or relevant school authority, or appropriate pay records.

ND and OND holders

Holders of a National Diploma (ND) or Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in a non-education field who are currently teaching can apply through the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) pathway.

The PDE also runs for six months, consisting of four months of coursework and two months of supervised teaching practice.

The programme carries 37 credit units and is designed to equip participants with professional teaching knowledge, classroom skills and the competencies required to meet established teaching standards.

Applicants must provide a valid NIN, their ND or OND certificate and evidence of teaching experience.

What will ATPP participants study?

The ATPP says its PGDE and PDE programmes are aligned with the TRCN Professional Standards for Teachers.

The curriculum covers areas including professional knowledge, professional practice, professional values and ethics, professional engagement and continuing professional development.

Participants will also study foundations of education, educational psychology, curriculum and pedagogy, inclusive education and safeguarding, assessment and quality assurance, digital and blended learning, and subject methodology and specialisation.

The programme combines academic learning with supervised teaching practice to give participants both theoretical knowledge and practical classroom experience.

How to apply for FG’s six-month teacher certification programme

Eligible applicants can apply through the official ATPP application portal.

Applicants are required to create an account, provide their personal information, email address and telephone number, select the appropriate qualification pathway and submit the required documents.

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Applicants applying on behalf of another person are advised to use the applicant’s own email address because the email may be required for password recovery and other application-related communication.

Prospective applicants should carefully check the eligibility requirements and ensure that the information and documents submitted are accurate before completing the application.

The deadline for ATPP Cohort 1 applications is September 18, 2026.

What happens after the six-month programme?

Completing the ATPP does not automatically mean that a participant immediately becomes a fully registered or licensed teacher.

Candidates are required to complete the prescribed credit units, successfully undertake their supervised teaching practice, demonstrate professional conduct and satisfy the assessment requirements of their institution.

They must also sit for and pass the TRCN Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE).

Candidates who successfully meet the relevant requirements and pass the qualifying examination can then become eligible for TRCN registration in the appropriate category.

Where will the programme be offered?

The ATPP is being delivered through accredited institutions and study centres across Nigeria.

Institutions listed under the programme include the National Teachers’ Institute, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, University of Lagos, University of Port Harcourt, University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Maiduguri, National Open University of Nigeria, MIVA Open University, Meadow Hall College of Education and Babcock University.

The use of multiple institutions and study centres is intended to make the programme accessible to serving teachers in different parts of the country.

How much does the ATPP cost?

The programme website lists the ATPP fee at ₦200,000 per teacher.

Applicants are advised to follow only the official application and payment procedures provided through the ATPP platform and to avoid making payments to individuals or unofficial platforms claiming to represent the programme.

The Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway is part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to strengthen teacher professionalisation and improve standards in Nigeria’s education sector.

For eligible BSc, HND, ND and OND holders who are already teaching, the six-month programme provides a structured route to obtain professional education qualifications and progress towards TRCN registration.

With the September 18, 2026 deadline approaching, eligible applicants are encouraged to complete the application process early and ensure that all required information and documents are properly submitted.

FG opens six-month teacher certification for BSc, HND, ND holders – How to Apply

JAMB Releases Underage UTME Results, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results for candidates under the age of 16. However, the board has made it clear that these results are for viewing purposes only and do not guarantee admission into any tertiary institution.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained that while the results are now accessible, only a select group of exceptionally performing underage candidates who meet strict requirements will be considered for admission.

For the 2026 admission cycle, JAMB defines an underage candidate as any applicant who will be less than 16 years old by September 30, 2026. This age benchmark is non-negotiable and serves as the foundation for all admission eligibility decisions regarding younger candidates.

According to the board, the primary reason for releasing the results is to allow candidates, parents, and guardians to view their performance. This transparency is intended to help families assess academic progress and make informed decisions about next steps. However, JAMB stressed that the release does not confer automatic eligibility for admission. The results cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose unless the candidate meets the prescribed conditions for exceptional consideration.

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Candidates can check their results by sending the word “RESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019. This must be done using the same phone number and SIM card that were used during the UTME registration process. No other method has been authorized for result viewing.

JAMB has outlined a rigorous, multi-stage process for underage candidates who wish to be considered for admission. The requirements are intentionally strict to ensure that only genuinely exceptional candidates are admitted. To qualify, an underage candidate must meet all of the following: a minimum UTME score of 320 out of 400; at least 80% performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable; compliance with the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institution, even if the general Post-UTME exercise has been suspended; and successful completion of a final assessment by experts, designed to evaluate academic maturity and readiness for tertiary education. Dr. Benjamin explained that these measures are in place to distinguish truly gifted candidates from those who may have simply performed well in the UTME but lack the overall academic maturity for university-level studies.

Not yet. JAMB has confirmed that the admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates is still ongoing. The board is currently awaiting the release of this year’s National Examinations Council (NECO) results to allow candidates awaiting these results to present them for verification. A date for the final stage of assessment will be announced as soon as the NECO results are released. JAMB emphasized that no candidate will be admitted until all stages of assessment and verification are concluded.

JAMB has issued a strong advisory to parents, guardians, and candidates: do not present underage UTME results to any institution for admission unless you meet the exceptional criteria; and beware of fraudsters who claim they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the official process. The board reiterated that participation in the UTME does not guarantee admission, especially for candidates who have not attained the prescribed age. The board also noted that in the 2025 admission cycle, only 85 out of over 41,000 underage applicants qualified for exceptional admission, underscoring how competitive and selective the process truly is.

JAMB has assured the public that the exceptional admission process will remain transparent, rigorous, and merit-based. The board is committed to protecting the integrity of the admission system and ensuring that only candidates who genuinely satisfy all established requirements are admitted.

JAMB Releases Underage UTME Results, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission