The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye has highlighted a critical global and regional shortage of teachers.
According to The PUNCH, he said this at the 10th anniversary and sixth convocation ceremony of Corona College of Education in Ilupeju.
He called on Nigerian educators to embrace technology and view themselves as part of the global teaching community.
Prof. Ajiboye emphasized the global demand for teachers, noting a deficit of about 45 million teachers worldwide. Africa, and particularly Nigeria, is significantly affected, with the latter facing a shortage of approximately 15 million teachers.
He remarked on the increasing mobility of teachers, citing that the UK recruited around 2,000 Nigerian teachers over the past two years, while Canada recruited about 600 in 2022.
“Teachers should not see themselves as confined to local teaching roles. They must be technologically adept and ready for global opportunities. Many Nigerian teachers are moving abroad, and we must encourage more individuals to enter this vital profession,” Ajiboye stated.
Prof. Chijioke Okwelle, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, lauded Corona College of Education for its high standards and contributions to quality teacher training in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of maintaining such standards across other private colleges to alleviate the national teacher shortage.
Okwelle also announced that qualified federal colleges of education would be authorized to offer specialized degree programs in the 2024/2025 academic session, ensuring their certifications are on par with those from universities.
Dr. Olajumoke Mekiliuwa, the provost of Corona College of Education, expressed pride in the institution’s growth and its graduates’ readiness to make a global impact. “Our graduates represent the Corona brand and will excel both in Nigeria and internationally,” she affirmed.
The convocation lecture by Prof. Chinedum Babalola, Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, highlighted the challenges private tertiary institutions face in raising educational standards through technology. She urged the government and stakeholders to support quality education and educators in Nigeria.
