The Federal Government has opened applications for a programme that will enable Nigerians teaching without professional education qualifications to obtain certification and become eligible for registration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
The Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP) is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) and TRCN.
TRCN announced the opening of applications for the first cohort of the 2026–2027 programme in a notice published on its Facebook page on Monday.
Applications for the cohort will close on September 18, 2026.
The programme is targeted at non-professional teachers already working in public and non-state schools, including those teaching in early childhood, primary, secondary, technical and vocational education, non-formal and alternative learning settings.
Community instructors and volunteer educators are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the stipulated requirements.
Applicants must have at least 24 months of classroom teaching experience.
The ATPP offers two qualification pathways. Holders of non-education bachelor’s degrees or HNDs can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), while those with ND or OND qualifications in non-education fields can apply for the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE).
Both programmes run for six months and include four months of coursework and two months of supervised teaching practice.
The PGDE carries 40 credit units, while the PDE carries 37 credit units.
Applicants for the PGDE are required to submit a valid National Identification Number, bachelor’s degree or HND certificate and evidence of teaching experience. The evidence may include an appointment or employment letter, an attestation from a school head or relevant pay records.
PDE applicants are required to provide their NIN, ND or OND certificate and evidence of teaching.
According to the programme guidelines, the training covers areas including educational psychology, curriculum and pedagogy, inclusive education and safeguarding, assessment and quality assurance, digital and blended learning, professional ethics and subject methodology.
The programme is aligned with the TRCN Professional Standards for Teachers.
Participants who complete the prescribed coursework and teaching practice must also pass the TRCN Professional Qualifying Examination before they can become eligible for registration with the council.
The programme will be delivered through accredited institutions and study centres, including 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 ATPP application portal lists the programme fee at ₦200,000 per teacher.
Interested applicants are required to apply through the ATPP application portal and submit the required personal information and documents before the September 18 deadline.
