A total of six hundred and ninety-nine (699) final-year students of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), have been officially inducted as professional teachers by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). The ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Education Hall (Glass House), marked a significant milestone for the 2024/2025 academic session graduates who successfully passed the 2025 Professional Qualification Examination Integrated (PQEI).
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Simeon Adebayo Oladipo—who also represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folashade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS—commended the inductees for their dedication and hard work. He noted that their TRCN certification officially elevated them to the status of professionals committed to excellence, integrity, and lifelong learning. Prof. Oladipo also praised TRCN for its continuous efforts to ensure that teachers in Nigeria are properly registered and recognized as professionals.
Quoting Nelson Mandela’s famous line that “education is the most powerful weapon to change the world,” Prof. Oladipo encouraged the new teachers to embrace continuous professional development through workshops, advanced studies, and membership in professional bodies such as the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT). He emphasized that the induction was a call to action for them to bridge educational gaps, promote inclusive learning, and advocate for the necessary resources to transform education in Nigeria.
The Dean further urged the inductees to teach with passion, document their experiences, and share best practices. According to him, teachers must not only impart knowledge but also contribute to national development by shaping minds, inspiring innovation, and instilling moral values in their students.
The event also featured a keynote address titled Upholding Professional Integrity as Teachers, delivered by the Sandwich Coordinator, Dr. Akeem Adekunle. In his address, Dr. Adekunle identified four key pillars of professionalism in teaching: competence, ethical conduct, commitment to service, and collaborative leadership. He emphasized that maintaining professional integrity is the foundation of effective teaching, protecting educators from external pressures that could compromise quality and trust in the education system.
Dr. Adekunle reminded the inductees that teachers play a crucial role in shaping the future of any nation, describing them as role models who influence not only the intellect but also the character of their students. He further urged them to be tech-savvy, creative, and adaptable, noting that technology should serve as a tool to enhance collaboration and learning rather than replace human connection. “Teach with passion, purpose, integrity, and love,” he advised, while calling on the inductees to embrace growth, accept constructive criticism, and lead with humility and courage.
In her goodwill address, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of TRCN, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, a proud UNILAG alumna of 35 years, congratulated the inductees and reminded them of their responsibility as newly certified professionals. She encouraged them to maintain excellence, uphold students’ dignity, and handle challenges with accountability and compassion.
Dr. Soyombo also highlighted the “Four Cs” that should guide modern teaching—Critical thinking, Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication—stressing that these skills are vital in fostering innovation and teamwork in today’s classrooms. She advised the inductees to embrace artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.
According to the TRCN Registrar, teacher registration is not merely a bureaucratic formality but a “badge of honour” symbolizing a lifelong commitment to learning, empathy, and resilience. She urged the inductees to see themselves as ambassadors of quality education and advocates for ethical teaching practices in Nigeria.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of Certificates of Registration and the recitation of the Teachers’ Oath of Allegiance in accordance with the TRCN Act CAP T3 of 2004. The inductees collectively pledged to uphold the dignity of the teaching profession, avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain integrity in their professional duties.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Education, Dr. Adetoun Emiola; Former Sub-Dean, Dr. Sola Lawrence Ige; South West Zonal Coordinator of TRCN, Dr. Akeem Otun; Lagos Coordinator I, Mr. Muyiwa Ojeniyi; and Lagos Coordinator II, Prince Ade Ekuna, among others.
The event concluded with hearty applause as the new inductees, now recognized as professional teachers, were charged to impact lives, shape futures, and uphold the noble values of the teaching profession in Nigeria.
