The union’s National President, Audu Amba, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during a sensitisation workshop for teachers organised by 21st Century in partnership with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Amba expressed concern over what he described as a consistent decline in the quality of candidates gaining admission into colleges of education, noting that many high-performing students now prefer universities, leaving colleges of education as last-resort institutions.

He warned that the trend could have long-term consequences for the teaching profession, insisting that teacher education should attract some of the country’s strongest academic candidates.

According to him, colleges of education should not be treated as fallback institutions for students who fail to secure university admission.

“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.

“Colleges of Education 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 added.

In her keynote address, the Registrar of the TRCN, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, called for urgent reforms to reposition teachers for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.

She stressed that the future of education in Nigeria depends on educators who are technologically skilled, innovative, and professionally competent.

Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr. Iyabo Ali, urged continuous training and capacity development for teachers, noting that they must constantly upgrade their digital and innovative skills to meet global standards.

Other stakeholders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Dr. Mary Aba, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, also called for stronger collaboration and commitment within the education sector.

However, Senator Moro expressed concern over the declining state of education in Nigeria, warning that more than 70 percent of schools lack adequate teaching and learning facilities.

He cautioned that the widening gap between teachers and their working environment poses a serious threat to the country’s educational foundation and long-term development.