The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Angela Ajala, has warned that continued neglect of teacher education could seriously undermine Nigeria’s national development.

Ajala made the remarks in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria on Tuesday.

She stressed that the quality of teachers determines the strength of every other profession in society, noting that all professionals and leaders pass through the hands of teachers.

“If we get it wrong with a teacher, just know that Nigeria is finished. Every engineer, doctor, scientist, entrepreneur, politician, and leader passes through the hands of a teacher. Teacher education lies at the heart of national development,” she said.

Ajala warned against the persistent undervaluing of the teaching profession, arguing that the impact of teachers on society is often underestimated despite their critical role in shaping future generations.

She noted that while faulty machines or systems can be repaired, the long-term effects of poor teaching on children and society can be difficult to reverse.

The NCCE boss also called for stronger collaboration with the media to improve public perception of teaching and support reforms in the education sector.

According to her, journalists play an important role in shaping public opinion and influencing conversations around education policies.

Ajala lamented what she described as the decline in societal respect for teachers over the years.

“Something went wrong along the way. We moved from a society where teachers were highly respected to one where people say, ‘If you have nothing else to do, go and become a teacher.’ That narrative must change,” she stated.

She also defended recent policy changes affecting admissions to Colleges of Education, dismissing concerns that removing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination requirement would reduce standards.

Ajala explained that the reforms were based on data and future projections about teacher education in Nigeria.

The NCCE boss warned that Nigeria could face a serious shortage of teachers if enrolment in teacher training institutions continues to decline.

“In some colleges, you find only about 30 students spread across 10 programmes. The attrition rate is alarming. If we do not act now, Nigeria may not have enough teachers in the near future,” she cautioned.

Ajala further stated that ongoing reforms aim to make graduates of Colleges of Education more globally competitive through curriculum improvements and expanded opportunities for multiple qualifications.

She added that Nigeria’s teacher education curriculum compares favourably with international standards in countries often cited as models for education excellence.

Earlier, the chairman of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Chucks Ukwuatu, commended Ajala’s appointment as the first female Executive Secretary of the NCCE and pledged the association’s support for responsible education reporting.

The meeting ended with both parties expressing commitment to deeper collaboration to strengthen teacher education and improve educational outcomes across Nigeria.