The Federal Government has introduced mandatory ethics and criminal record checks for all teachers before employment.
The new TRCN digital framework aims to restore professionalism, integrity, and accountability in Nigeria’s education sector.
The Federal Government has introduced a Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework, making it mandatory for teachers in both public and private schools to undergo ethical screening and background checks before employment.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the policy in Abuja on Monday, August 25, during the unveiling of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital portal and a fresh strategic roadmap for the profession.
He said the move is part of wider reforms designed to restore professionalism, dignity, and accountability in the country’s education sector. According to him, no teacher will henceforth be hired without clearance on ethical conduct and criminal history, while private school owners must confirm TRCN registration and approval for their staff.
The minister explained that the new framework has been built into the TRCN digital portal, which allows real-time registration, licensing, and monitoring of teachers. The platform will enable schools, regulators, and stakeholders to verify credentials, enforce compliance with standards, and prevent cases of forgery, impersonation, or unqualified recruitment.
Dr. Alausa stressed that the policy is meant to “protect the sanctity of classrooms by ensuring only men and women of proven integrity are entrusted with shaping the future of Nigerian children.”
TRCN Registrar, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, noted that nearly 30 percent of Nigerian school-age children still lack basic literacy skills. She said the upgraded portal integrates AI-based lesson planning, automated criminal checks, and disciplinary panels across states to raise the quality of teaching nationwide.
Also speaking, Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, reiterated the UK’s support for Nigeria’s education reforms. He explained that the Commission partnered with TRCN in designing the portal, describing the project as ambitious but attainable in improving teacher accountability and motivation across the country’s complex mix of public, private, and faith-based schools.
