FG Opens Six-Month Teacher Certification Programme for BSc, HND, ND and OND Holders

Non-education graduates and Nigerians already working as teachers without professional teaching qualifications can now apply for a Federal Government programme designed to help them obtain recognised teaching credentials.

The Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), offers six-month training routes for qualified non-professional teachers. Applications for Cohort 1 of the 2026–2027 programme close on September 18, 2026.

The programme provides two options based on applicants’ academic qualifications. Holders of a non-education bachelor’s degree or HND can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), while those with an ND or OND in a non-education field can pursue the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE). Both pathways require applicants to have at least 24 months of classroom teaching experience.

The PGDE runs for six months, consisting of four months of hybrid coursework and two months of supervised teaching practice, with 40 credit units. Applicants must provide a valid National Identification Number, their degree or HND certificate and proof of teaching experience, such as an appointment letter, school attestation or pay records.

The PDE follows a similar six-month structure, comprising four months of coursework and two months of supervised teaching practice, but carries 37 credit units. Applicants are required to submit their NIN, ND or OND certificate and evidence that they are currently teaching.

The ATPP covers areas including educational psychology, curriculum and pedagogy, inclusive education, safeguarding, assessment, quality assurance, digital learning, professional ethics and subject-specific teaching methods. The programme is aligned with the TRCN Professional Standards for Teachers and is open to teachers in public and non-state schools, as well as educators working in early childhood, primary, secondary, technical and vocational education and other learning settings.

Applicants can apply through the ATPP portal at https://applicant.safapply.com/atpp, where they are expected to create an account, select their preferred qualification pathway and upload the required documents. The programme is available through accredited institutions and study centres across Nigeria, including the National Teachers’ Institute, UNILAG, UNIPORT, UNILORIN, ABU, University of Maiduguri, NOUN and other participating institutions. The listed fee is ₦200,000 per teacher.

After completing the required coursework and teaching practice, candidates must meet their institution’s assessment requirements and pass the TRCN Professional Qualifying Examination. Successful participants will then become eligible for registration with TRCN in the appropriate professional category.