Save the Children International, Education Ministries certify and induct 130 teachers across 5 states… 46 from Benue

By Johnson Arua

Nigeria recorded a significant boost to its basic education workforce on Friday as Save the Children International (SCI), under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) project, successfully certified and inducted 130 volunteer teachers into the teaching profession through the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

The induction ceremonies, held simultaneously across Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, and Taraba states, mark a major milestone in efforts to strengthen the quality of teaching and expand access to learning in underserved communities.

The newly inducted teachers have been providing instructional support in hard-to-reach schools grappling with severe shortages of government teachers, many of which serve vulnerable children—refugees, girls and boys with disabilities, and learners in rural host communities.

Of the 130 volunteers inducted nationwide, Benue State accounted for 46 teachers who successfully completed the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) and met all TRCN requirements.

“A fulfilment of our long-term commitment”- SCI

Speaking at the Benue State ceremony, GPE Programme Manager for SCI, Mr. Joseph Kolapo, described the event as the culmination of years of investment in building teacher capacity.

“This exercise is a fulfillment of our long-term commitment to strengthening the education system,” he said. “In schools where we have fewer government teachers, we recruited and posted volunteer teachers and provided them with a series of professional trainings. For those without TRCN certification, we also registered them for the examination. Today, 46 of those who passed are being inducted as professional teachers in Benue State.”

Kolapo appealed to the government to absorb the newly certified teachers into the state workforce.

“We call on the State Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board to consider these volunteers for employment,” he added.

Government expresses appreciation, charges inductees on professionalism

Representing the Benue State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu, the Director of Education Support Services, Mrs. Sember Saamo, applauded SCI and the Federal Ministry of Education for selecting Benue as one of the implementing states.

“We appreciate the Federal Government for considering our state, and we appreciate the Grant Agent, Save the Children International, for the meticulous and judicious work done,” she said.
She urged the inductees to uphold the highest standards of the profession and create conducive, learner-friendly environments.

SUBEB: “This is more than a ceremony, it is a responsibility"

The Executive Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, represented by the Board’s Liaison Officer for Donor Agencies, Mr. Cletus Ikpilakaa, encouraged the inductees to approach their new status with seriousness.

“To the volunteer teachers being inducted today, you are not just teachers but instructors moulding the future of our children,” he said. “Do not see this as a mere ceremony but as a challenge to do more in the classroom, create learner-centered classrooms rather than teacher-centered ones.”

TRCN, Federal Ministry commend SCI

Representatives of the TRCN Registrar and the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Mary Aniekwe and Mrs. Rose Udohekpo, lauded SCI for prioritizing the professionalization of volunteer teachers.

“This certification is a gateway to opportunities,” Aniekwe said. “Having that certificate means they can teach anywhere, even outside the country. It gives them global recognition. They should be ambassadors of TRCN and Save the Children International.”

“Today, we can proudly call ourselves professional teachers”—Inductee

With visible joy, one of the inductees, Mr. Simon Ukor, described the certification as a defining moment for him and his colleagues.

“Today has given us the inspiration and boldness to call ourselves professional teachers,” he said. “Before now, when colleagues asked if we were licensed, some of us couldn’t answer confidently. But now, we have our TRCN certificates and licences. I am proud to stand before anyone as a professional teacher. We say a big thank you to Save the Children International and TRCN.”

A call to uphold standards

In her closing remarks, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management encouraged the inductees to uphold the ethics and standards laid out by TRCN and to contribute positively to upgrading the quality of education in their communities.