Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye, the Registrar and CEO of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), has emphasised the serious lack of educators in Africa and worldwide. During his speech at Corona College of Education’s 10th anniversary and sixth convocation ceremony in Ilupeju, Lagos State, he emphasised the importance of teachers in the country considering themselves international experts and embracing Technology to succeed on the global stage. He believes teachers are essential for the world, yet there is a global shortage of about 45 million teachers.
The region is struggling with a solid shortage, particularly in Nigeria, which has a deficit of around 15 million teachers. He emphasised the increasing trend of educators relocating internationally, citing 2,000 Nigerian teachers hired by the United Kingdom (UK) in the past two years and 600 Nigerian teachers recruited by Canada in 2022. This suggests a notable rise in educator mobility, indicating that doctors and educators are migrating in large quantities. He stresses the importance of viewing teaching as a profession beyond the borders of one’s local community.
Corona College was praised for raising global education standards.
Emphasising the need for preparation and technological proficiency, he highlights the opportunity to cater to the global market. Encouraging educators to adopt a global perspective, he visualises a future where facilitators can impart knowledge anywhere. This call extends specifically to everyone in the country he believes should be stimulated to pursue careers in teaching. Also, during the event, Prof. Chijioke Okwelle, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, praised Corona College of Education for being a leading institution in training excellent facilitators and consistently striving to improve education standards in the country.
His remarks stated the exceptional quality of education offered by the institution. The teaching methods and facilities utilised for service delivery left a lasting impression on them. The institution focuses on nurturing creativity and Innovation in students through its training programs. Achieving the same standard as Corona College in other private institutions would streamline the commission’s tasks and ensure an abundance of skilled educators to bring pride to the nation. Okwelle suggested that qualified federal colleges of education will offer specialised degree programs for the 2024/2025 academic session, ensuring that the certification obtained will be equally prestigious compared to universities.
Stakeholders call for quality education in private institutions nationwide.
During her address, Dr. Olajumoke Mekiliuwa, the institution’s provost, emphasised the significant growth the school has experienced over the last decade. The provost congratulated the graduates as they embarked on their new journey. She stated that their completion of studies signifies the beginning of their mission to uphold the prestigious reputation of the Corona brand and the college itself. They are confident in their abilities to make a positive impact not only in the region but on a global scale. Their presence is already felt worldwide, as they demonstrate exceptional competitiveness and excellence in every corner of the globe.
Furthermore, during the convocation ceremony, Professor Chinedum Babalola, Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, emphasised the dedication of Private Universities in the country to enhancing the quality of education through technological innovation despite financial challenges. She stressed the importance of prioritising quality education, urging the government and stakeholders to ensure that competent educators are in place and that high educational standards are maintained. Professor Babalola’s remarks show the critical role of private institutions in driving educational excellence and innovation in the country.
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Overall, solving the global educator shortage necessitates a diverse strategy. Educators need to adopt a global perspective and incorporate technology to address the international community’s demands effectively. The federal government also needs to financially support institutions to be more effective and promote creativity through its rigorous standards and progressive approach. With educators continuing to leave for foreign countries, improving the standard of education nationally and providing attractive options for career advancement domestically becomes increasingly essential. The nation has the potential to secure a brighter future, both locally and globally, by investing in education and providing assistance to educators, thus supplying the world stage with highly trained educators.