ABUJA: The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Centre Managers’ Forum has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to reconsider the Federal Government’s cancellation of the institute’s programmes and 2026 admissions, warning that the decision could jeopardise the academic future of more than 21,000 students.
The forum urged the Federal Government to allow affected students to complete their studies while necessary regulatory reforms are introduced to address concerns surrounding the institute’s admission procedures, accreditation and academic affiliations.
The appeal was contained in a statement signed by the forum’s National Chairman, Dr Tam Loveday Frank Jumbo, and National Secretary, Dr Mamuda Inuwa Doguwa.
It followed an announcement by the Federal Ministry of Education on November 7, 2026, cancelling all admissions into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes of the National Teachers’ Institute for the 2026 academic session.
The ministry also directed NTI to discontinue its university affiliations and degree-awarding arrangements, citing alleged violations of regulatory requirements and stating that the institute was not authorised to award NCE and university degrees.
Reacting to the decision, the NTI Centre Managers’ Forum said it received the announcement with serious concern, particularly because thousands of students had already secured admission, registered for their programmes and participated in academic activities.
According to the forum, many affected students had attended both physical and virtual lectures and sat for their first-semester examinations in August 2026, while some were still awaiting the release of their results.
It maintained that the students enrolled in good faith, believing they were gaining admission into a legitimate, government-owned institution operating under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The forum argued that cancelling the programmes after students had made financial commitments and commenced their studies could cause considerable disruption to their educational aspirations.
It insisted that students should not be made to suffer the consequences of institutional or administrative shortcomings beyond their control.
The forum also highlighted the institute’s historical contribution to teacher education and access to higher learning, noting that NTI had provided educational opportunities to Nigerians for more than 45 years.
It explained that the institute had served individuals who, because of financial limitations, employment commitments, family responsibilities and geographical barriers, could not easily access conventional universities and colleges of education.
According to the forum, NTI has provided educational opportunities to more than one million Nigerians, contributing to teacher development, human capital advancement and access to education across the country.
The managers also expressed confidence in the leadership of the institute’s Director-General, Professor S.S. Daura, saying that efforts under his administration had restored hope among students.
While acknowledging the Federal Government’s commitment to improving educational standards and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, the forum called for what it described as a more inclusive and compassionate approach.
Its major requests include reconsideration of the cancellation of NTI programmes and the 2026 admissions, allowing affected students to complete their studies, and a comprehensive review of the institute’s operations, admission procedures and academic activities.
It also called for transitional arrangements to protect students who had already been admitted, registered, taught and assessed.
In addition, the forum urged the ministry to consult relevant stakeholders, including the Centre Managers’ Forum, to develop a sustainable solution that would protect students while addressing regulatory concerns.
The forum stressed that educational reforms should strengthen institutions and improve quality without abruptly terminating the aspirations of thousands of Nigerians.
“Our appeal is not against educational reforms or quality assurance. Rather, it is a call for fairness, justice, compassion and a carefully considered transition that does not sacrifice the future of thousands of Nigerians,” the forum stated.
However, the Federal Ministry of Education said its decision was informed by violations of the Ministerial Operational Guidelines issued on September 12, 2025.
In a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry explained that admissions into NCE programmes must comply with the requirements of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the accreditation standards of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
The ministry also directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to notify affected universities and ensure compliance with the discontinuation of NTI’s degree-awarding arrangements.
It clarified that no further admissions into the affected programmes would be permitted, whether through full-time, part-time or Distance Learning Studies (DLS).
Despite the cancellation, the ministry announced measures intended to protect students already enrolled in the affected programmes.
It said the NCCE would conduct comprehensive accreditation of existing NCE II–IV Distance Learning programmes and study centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to the ministry, eligible students would be allowed to complete their programmes, subject to accreditation outcomes and applicable regulatory requirements.
The ministry’s clarification provides a potential transition pathway for qualifying students, although the final position of individual programmes and study centres will depend on the accreditation exercise.
The government also reaffirmed that NTI’s statutory mandate remains focused on teacher training, retraining, in-service development and continuous professional development.
Other approved responsibilities include pedagogical capacity-building and the three-to-six-month Special Abridged Programme for serving teachers with non-education degrees to acquire the professional competencies required for registration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), subject to applicable regulations.
The Federal Ministry of Education urged prospective students, parents and members of the public to verify the accreditation and admission status of educational programmes through the relevant regulatory authorities and official government channels before seeking admission or making payments.
The dispute has brought renewed attention to the need for stronger regulatory oversight of tertiary education programmes while protecting students who have already committed time and resources to their studies.
For the more than 21,000 students whose academic futures have been raised in the appeal, the immediate concern is whether the government’s regulatory intervention will provide a clear and fair pathway for them to complete their education.
The Federal Government is yet to announce any further decision on the Centre Managers’ Forum’s appeal.
