The Nigeria Union of Teachers has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s proposed plan to remove the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme.

The union warned that the move could weaken the quality and credibility of teacher education in the country, describing it as a policy that may unintentionally lower admission standards into colleges of education.

Speaking in Abuja at a teachers’ workshop organised by 21st Century in collaboration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, NUT National President Audu Amba stressed that teaching should not be treated as a fallback career for students unable to secure university admission.

He argued that colleges of education should attract some of the strongest academic performers, not be viewed as alternative institutions for candidates who fall short of university entry requirements.

According to him, the current trend where high-scoring students prefer universities while weaker candidates are often directed toward colleges of education poses a long-term risk to the quality of teachers produced in Nigeria.

Amba insisted that if Nigeria is serious about improving its education system, then entry into teaching profession training must be made more competitive and intentional.

“Why can’t we now say that anyone going to College of Education to become a teacher tomorrow must be among the highest-scoring candidates in UTME?” he asked.

He further emphasised that colleges of education should not be seen as “dumping grounds” for unsuccessful university applicants, adding that such perception undermines the teaching profession and discourages excellence.

“Colleges of Education are not dumping grounds. We are supposed to have the best candidates, but unfortunately, when people fail to secure university admission, they are told to go and manage NCE,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Registrar of the Ronke Soyombo highlighted the need for teachers to develop stronger digital literacy and professional skills to keep up with modern learning systems and the evolving demands of the global education space.

She noted that the teaching profession must evolve with technology, stressing that continuous training and upskilling are essential for educators to remain effective in today’s classrooms.

The debate over admission requirements into colleges of education continues to generate concern among stakeholders, with educators divided over whether relaxing entry barriers will improve access or further dilute teaching standards in Nigeria.