Chairperson of the Governing Council at the Federal College of Education, Ofeme Ohuhu, Abia State, Hajia Rabiu Adamu, has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s deepening teacher shortage, stating that the country urgently requires 1.2 million teachers to meet national classroom demands.
Adamu made this statement on Friday during the first matriculation ceremony of the college’s pioneer National Certificate of Education (NCE) students, held at the institution’s campus.
“The biggest crisis in Nigeria is the teacher crisis, where we have a gap of about 1.2 million teachers.
“We need 1.2 million teachers minimum for Nigerian classes to be adequately provided for,” she said.
Highlighting the dire teacher-student ratios, she added:
“A standard class should have one teacher to 25 students, but in some Nigerian schools, you’ll find one teacher managing up to 300 students.”
Adamu encouraged the matriculating students to take their studies seriously and remain committed to the teaching profession.
She stressed that building Nigeria’s future depends on producing qualified, passionate educators.
*A New Era in Teacher Training*
The Provost of the College, Dr. Titus Ezeme, described the matriculation as a historic milestone for both the institution and the educational landscape of Abia State.
Established on May 28, 2023, the college officially commenced academic activities on June 24, 2025, with 153 pioneer students enrolled across six academic schools and 29 accredited programmes.
He said the green light from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) during its Resource Verification Team visit in December 2024 laid a solid foundation for the institution’s credibility and growth.
“This college is not a trial run. It is a fully accredited teacher-training institution, built to last, and designed to serve,” Ezeme stated.
*Philanthropic Support and Student Stories*
Ezeme expressed gratitude to Dr. Michael Igwe and Dr. Chris Nwosu, both U.S.-based medical practitioners, for awarding scholarships to 30 and 20 students respectively.
He also acknowledged Mr. Anderson Akaliro, an Abia lawmaker, and Chief Godwin Anyaogu, for sponsoring ten students each.
The Provost also announced that the Federal Ministry of Education had awarded a contract for the construction of a 74-room female hostel, a welcome relief to the institution’s accommodation challenges.
However, he appealed for further support from philanthropists, listing critical needs such as a multipurpose hall, perimeter fencing, additional hostels, and operational vehicles.
Among the new students was Chief Chinedu Obilor (popularly known as Fayose), a politician who shared his journey back to education after years of setbacks.
“I’ve always wanted to further my education, but family responsibilities and the collapse of my former school in Port Harcourt delayed that dream. Now that I’m here, I won’t let anything stop me,” he said, expressing hope of earning a doctorate degree in the future.
According to data from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Nigeria currently has 915,913 teachers catering to over 31.7 million learners in both public and private primary schools—far below the required staffing levels.
