Spotlights
Govs slammed for wasting N160bn on unviable airports
Six state governments including Ekiti, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Yobe, Nasarawa, and Bayelsa have spent about N160bn on airport projects that opposition politicians and aviation professionals classified as unviable.
Stakeholders say the huge public funds expended on the facilities have amounted to waste. They condemned the state governors and asked Nigerians to hold them responsible for the waste.
However, some industry players advised that the facilities be converted into skill acquisition centres for the benefit of the citizens.
Some called on relevant authorities to probe the money spent on the unviable projects.
Checks by the PUNCH showed that the six states spent over N160bn on their various airport projects, but the facilities have not attracted a considerable number of aircraft for charter or commercial purposes.
Apart from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that generate about 80 per cent of revenues for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, other airports constitute a financial burden to FAAN.
But, despite the challenges facing most of the aerodromes in the country, more state governments have continued to pump scarce resources into the construction of more airports with most designating them as “cargo airports.”
In the last decade, no fewer than 10 state governments have mooted or commenced such projects.
Some of the states include Osun, Ebonyi, Ogun, Benue, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Abia, Ekiti, and Bayelsa. Sadly, most of these projects were never completed, while others were abandoned by their successors in office.
They include Asaba Airport, Ebonyi Airport, Bayelsa Airport, Ogun Cargo Airport, MKO Abiola International Airport, Osun, which is uncompleted, Ekiti Cargo Airport, Anambra Cargo Airport, Abia Airport, Wachakal Airport in Damaturu, and Dutse International Airport in Jigawa.
Others are Lafia Airport in Nasarawa which is uncompleted, Kebbi Airport, Auchi Airport in Edo which is uncompleted, Zamfara Airport, and Gombe Airport.
In 2017, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State commenced his move to build an airport in the state. Six years later, the governor renewed his zeal for the project, A cargo airport in Umueri, in the Anambra East Local Government Area.
Anambra State is surrounded by airports in Delta, Imo, and Enugu states but the governor embarked on the project.
Though many believed the project was new in the plans of the government and needless, the governor in April 2017 flagged off the airport project.
At the flagging-off ceremony in April 2017, Obiano said that the government wanted to create an airport city in the state with a model that would accommodate two runways, an aviation fuel dump, an airport hotel, an industrial business park, an international convention centre, as well as a facility for aircraft maintenance.
He had initially boasted that the airport with a cost implication of $2b as at when it was conceived would join some of the most advanced airports in the world with a capacity to land any of the most sophisticated vessels known to man.
In 2021, the state government said N6b was spent and not $2b as alleged in some quarters.
Also, the immediate past aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, conveyed the approval for the construction of the Ebonyi airport through correspondence to then Governor David Umahi, now Minister of Works. The letter was signed by the Director of Safety and Technical Policy, Capt Talba Alkali, on behalf of the ministry in 2019.
At the commissioning of the airport, Umahi revealed that he spent over N36bn to build the airport, located in Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area. But as at the time of filing this report, the airport situation is best described as comatose.
The immediate past Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, expended N16bn public funds on the Akure airport, but the airport has also refused to attract aircraft over its non-viability.
When the governor conceived the idea, it was greeted by criticisms from stakeholders both in the state and beyond but the governor vetoed the cargo airport which is currently not in use.
As of January 2023, the Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Budget, Economic Planning, and Performance Management, Niyi Adebayo, revealed that N16.6bn had been spent on the yet-to-be-completed facility in Ekiti State.
He explained that the fund was used for perimeter fencing, completion of the runway and taxiway, terminal building, and payment of compensation for the farmers whose farmlands were acquired for the project.
In Jigawa State, ex-governor Sule Lamido, also pumped N4bn to build an airport for the state, one that was commissioned in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The airport facility is located less than 100km from Aminu Kano International Airport, making experts describe it as wasteful spending.
Also, in Bayelsa, former Governor Seriake Dickson spent N70bn on the construction of an airport which began in 2012 and was completed in February 2019.
The amount spent on the airport by the governor has been disputed by some stakeholders, among which was the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomole.
Oshiomhole had stated that the project gulped over N100bn but Dickson insisted that it was done at the rate of N70bn.
Same for Yobe State where the transport commissioner, Abdullahi Kukuwa, had recently told newsmen that the state spent more than N18bn on the unused airport project initiated in 2017.
Like its counterpart, the Nasarawa cargo airport project was initiated in December 2015 during the second tenure of a former Governor Umaru Al-Makura, who said he had the vision to open the state for investment opportunities.
The project was estimated at N10bn and was to ease cargo traffic at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, because Nasarawa is the closest state bordering the FCT.
Aviation professionals speak
The General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Round Table, a group for industry professionals, Olumide Ohunayo, criticised the scale of some airport projects, arguing that while building airports is essential, the funds allocated and the size of these developments are often disproportionate to the immediate needs.
“I am not one of those who criticise the building of an airport. What I criticise is the size of the airport and the funds made available for such developments,” Ohunayo said.
He emphasised that airports typically start as social infrastructure rather than profit-making ventures. “It’s when it begins to develop that they now think about commercialising and maybe giving to private investors.”
Ohunayo further noted the tendency in Nigeria to start airport projects on a large scale without sufficient flight operations to justify the investment. “When you don’t have any flight and you are starting big, you want to operate internationally from the very first day,” he said.
He also pointed out the irony that some of the experts who now criticize these projects were previously involved in advising the government and securing funds for such developments.
On his part, Capt John Okakpu said aside from the Anambra airport, all of the other mentioned airports should be converted to skill acquisition centres or any form of public facility that will be of use to the people.
“Immediately these governors see a colleague that has embarked on such a project even when the fellow did not achieve success, you will see the others doing the same, but my question is, why should a right-thinking human want to replicate failure? In all, it is to steal.
“For instance, before you think of building an airport you should be able to ascertain the passenger traffic. It is not rocket science, you must do it even before any other study.”
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Security Limited, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd.), echoed similar sentiments, questioning the approval process and the lack of a solid business plan behind these airport projects.
“When were they approved by the National Civil Aviation Authority? What was the business plan behind it?” he asked, stressing the importance of having a clear operational base and understanding the potential passenger traffic.
Ojikutu also criticized the focus on building new airports in regions with low travel demand, using Ekiti State as an example. “I told the people in Ekiti not to build an airport, but to build a road to connect Ekiti and Akure. The money they will make on the road is much more than the money you will make from the airport,” he noted.
Opposition mock governors
Although the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, defended his predecessor for the construction of an airport in the state, opposition politicians said the facility was unnecessary
Oyebanji said all the airport was awaiting was certification from the regulatory agencies to begin commercial operations and promised that the airport would begin operations before the end of the year
“On access to Ekiti State, our airport is practically ready. But in Nigeria, I have learned something about technical readiness and practical readiness. Our airport is ready, but I don’t want to play politics with safety. So we are waiting for the regulatory agencies to give us all the certifications.
“As I speak today, they are in Ekiti now at the airport, trying to look at what we have put on the ground. Once we have the certification from NCAA and FAAN, then access to Ekiti State will be sorted out at least through the air. I don’t want to give a timeframe but before the end of this year, commercial operations will begin at the Ekiti State airport,” he said.
However, the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Alaba Agboola, said the airport was not the priority of Ekiti State for now, describing the money injected into the project as waste.
Agboola said, “Yes, I agree that Ekiti needs an airport, but if we need something, we must at the same time look at the viability of that project. Ekiti receives meagre amounts compared to other states of the Federation. I think we must be able to prioritize our needs.
“If we want to prioritise our needs in Ekiti State, the airport is not one of them because there is an airport in Akure that can be serviceable to us. We have so many needs that require government attention now. I don’t think there is any need to have an airport that is not viable, that is not commercially oriented, that is just tying down our money.
“I can term it to be wasteful spending of Ekiti resources. After the inauguration of the airport in 2022, the airport has been stagnated. An airport that is not usable.
On his part, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, defended the construction of the state’s airport but was noncommittal on whether it was viable or not.
Koku-Obiyai told our correspondent that the airport offered an alternative to people in the neighbouring states of Delta and Rivers states.
On whether it is still operating commercially, she said there was an arrangement with an airline, which seems to have been disrupted as of the time of filing this report.
But the candidate of the Labour Party during the last election, Udengs Eradiri, said he was surprised when he heard that the state was trying to procure an airplane, stressing that he was yet to understand why.
“Do they have discipline? They have not shown discipline in the management of the state assets. Are we buying a plane like Rivers State or Ibom Air of Akwa Ibom? The governor is travelling about. He should sit in the state and get the Bayelsa State economy going,” Eradiri stated.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Energy in Yobe State, Dr Mustapha Geidam, said the government is actively collaborating with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to secure the requisite clearance for the commencement of commercial operations at the state airport. In Ebonyi, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Silas Onu, described the airport as ill-conceived, saying it was a white elephant project.
According to him, a right-thinking governor could have opted for massive industrialisation of the state seeing that agriculture was its main economic base.
He added that the project was a huge waste to the state, which had not added any economic value to its citizens.
“As an opening remark, may I indicate that the said airport was built and commissioned as a completed project by the immediate past Governor, David Umahi. The commissioning was widely broadcast with the landing of one aircraft from Air Peace. I doubt if any other plane landed at the airport after the official commission/opening of that airport.
“So I was personally shocked and taken aback when the newly sworn-in Governor Nwifuru began spending billions on the newly unused airport, for what he termed as rehabilitation or was it renovation? Whichever it was, there was absolutely no need for further needless spending on what has now become a white elephant project.”
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has indicted an Air Peace pilot and a Co-pilot for taking hard drugs and alcohol, as reported by The PUNCH.
The accident investigators tested the crew positive for the substances after the aircraft they flew was involved in a runway excursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
This was contained in a preliminary report signed by Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, and made available to The PUNCH on Friday.
It will be recalled that an Air Peace aircraft, on a Sunday morning of 13th July, had a runway excursion after landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The aircraft veered off the runway without any damage.
A runway excursion is when an aircraft veers off the side of or overruns the end of the runway during takeoff or landing.
Excursions are most often caused by miscommunication, mistakes, faulty gear, and potholes on runways, among others. But with the discovery, pilots’ intoxication has been added to the list of causes.
According to the NSIB report, the pilots who were flying an Air Peace Boeing 737 aircraft were involved in a serious incident while carrying 103 passengers.
The NSIB said, “The aircraft, operating as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach. The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a final stop 209 metres into the clearway.
“All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.”
According to the report, the domestic flight, which took off from Lagos, experienced an unstabilised final approach before landing long on Runway 21.
The NSIB revealed that the aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, well beyond the recommended touchdown zone, and eventually came to a stop at 209 metres into the clearway.
While all on board disembarked safely, the incident raised immediate safety concerns.
The preliminary reports say toxicological test results conducted on the flight crew turned out positive. The Tests indicated the presence of alcohol in the system of the crew, while another crew member also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound found in cannabis, colloquially referred to as “India hemp.”
The bureau noted that these toxicology results are being assessed within the scope of human performance and safety management, both critical factors in aviation incident investigations.
Following the development, the NSIB said it had issued immediate safety recommendations to the airline.
The statement further reads, “Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption. A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.
“The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management training, particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.
“Toxicological test was conducted on the flight crew at Rivers state hospital management, department of medical laboratory, Port Harcourt, on 13th July 2025, and they tested positive for some substances. Toxicological screening conducted post-incident revealed that Captain and first officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption.”
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has officially initiated a five-day warning strike today, triggered by the unmet demands outlined in a recent ultimatum directed at the Federal Government.
The association emphasized that this industrial action was a last resort, as they felt ignored by the government regarding critical issues that affect their livelihoods and, ultimately, patient care.
Resident doctors play a crucial role in Nigeria’s public health system, delivering a significant portion of clinical services in both federal and state hospitals.
Consequently, when this association takes the drastic step of striking, it has severe repercussions for healthcare delivery across the nation, often resulting in a paralysis of services that leaves countless patients stranded and hospitals teetering under the strain of high demand and reduced workforce.
In a message titled “Declaration of strike action” and signed by NARD Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, on Friday, the association confirmed the commencement of the strike.
“Good morning, NEC Members, thank you all for your continued cooperation and understanding. As clearly stated in our earlier communique, the strike is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am today (Friday).
“All Centre leadership is expected to guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated to NEC members in due course,” he said.
Among the grievances are the non-disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of five months’ arrears from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and outstanding specialist and hazard allowances.
NARD said the decision followed a six-hour virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, after the expiration of its ultimatum to the government — a 21-day deadline issued in July 2025, later extended by 10 days, which lapsed on September 10.
The doctors then gave the government a final 24 hours, which expired on Thursday, September 11.
The E-NEC expressed disappointment that, despite these repeated extensions, the Federal Government had still failed to address critical welfare issues, leaving the association with no choice but to proceed with industrial action.
Just two days after ending its nationwide strike, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is raising concerns about possible broken promises made during a peace agreement facilitated by the federal government.
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, NUPENG President Comrade Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Comrade Afolabi Olawale claimed that commitments made in a meeting with the State Security Service (SSS), Finance Minister Wale Edun, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) representatives, and a major refinery company are not being followed.
This peace agreement confirmed workers’ rights to organize and set a two-week period to implement these commitments. NUPENG is worried that these important rights are already being ignored, which could lead to more problems in the industry.
The agreement stated: “That since workers’ unionisation is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management agreed to the unionisation of employees.
“The process of unionisation shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (9th–22nd September, 2025), and it was agreed that the employer will not set up any other union.”
NUPENG, however, alleged that on September 10, directives were issued for truck drivers who had long been members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the union to strip union stickers from their vehicles.
The union said, “Today, Thursday, 11th September, 2025, he instructed them to forcefully drive into the Refinery to load, and Union officials stopped them from entering the Refinery to load because their trucks violated Union loading rules and regulations.
“He flew over them several times with his helicopter and then called the Navy of the Federal Republic to come over ostensibly to crush the Union officials.”
Condemning what it described as “arrogant disregard” for due process, NUPENG warned: “We call on everyone to know that no individual is bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We strongly condemn this blatant lack of respect for the laws of this country.”
While assuring that it has no intention of making life unbearable for Nigerians through fuel distribution disruptions, the union appealed to the federal government to intervene urgently.
The statement added, “We call on the Federal Government not to allow the Navy and other security agents being paid by the resources of this country to be used with impunity against the laws and people of this country.
Read also: Commuters and motorists in Rivers groan as the NUPENG chapter joins the nationwide strike
“Security agents should not allow an individual to ride roughshod with impunity even while not observing terms of agreement reached in meetings in which security agents facilitated, along with Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
NUPENG said its members nationwide are now on red alert and may resume the suspended strike.
“We are by this statement placing all our members on red alert for the resumption of the suspended nationwide industrial action and calling on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, all Regional and Global Working people and Civil Society Organisations to rise in support and solidarity.
“His wealth cannot make him above the law. Our Solidarity remains Constant, for the Union makes us Strong!” the statement added.
For every offence, there is a consequence, especially in a country where democracy exists and is being practiced to the satisfaction of the citizens.
Coup plot is a massive offence in today’s democratic world, where many civilians have resisted such practices in many countries in the world. This is the case of the former president and a close ally of the United States President, Donald Trump. Click to continue reading.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced on Thursday to 27 years and three months in prison, just hours after being convicted of plotting a coup to remain in power following his 2022 election defeat.
The ruling delivers a powerful rebuke to one of the world’s most prominent far-right populist leaders.
A panel of five Supreme Court justices voted on both the conviction and the sentence, making Bolsonaro, 70, the first former president in Brazil’s history to be convicted for attacking democracy. The decision also sparked disapproval from the Trump administration in Washington.
“This criminal case is almost a meeting between Brazil and its past, its present and its future,” Justice Carmen Lucia said in her vote to convict, noting Bolsonaro acted “with the purpose of eroding democracy and institutions.”
Four of the five justices found him guilty of five crimes: participating in an armed criminal organization; attempting to violently abolish democracy; organizing a coup; and damaging government property and protected cultural assets.
The former army captain, who has long expressed admiration for Brazil’s 1964–85 military dictatorship, now joins a list of far-right leaders facing legal condemnation this year, including France’s Marine Le Pen and the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte.
The conviction has infuriated Bolsonaro’s ally, U.S. President Donald Trump, who had earlier denounced the case as a “witch hunt.” In retaliation, Trump imposed tariff hikes on Brazil, sanctioned the presiding judge, and revoked visas for most of the high court justices. Reacting to the verdict on Thursday, Trump again praised Bolsonaro, calling it “a terrible thing” and adding: “I think it’s very bad for Brazil.”
From the U.S., Bolsonaro’s son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, told Reuters he expected Trump to impose further sanctions against Brazil and its judiciary. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the criticism, saying on X that the court had “unjustly ruled” and warning: “The United States will respond accordingly.”
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry condemned Rubio’s remarks as a threat that “attacks Brazilian authority and ignores the facts and the compelling evidence in the records.” President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also brushed off the prospect of U.S. sanctions, saying in a local TV interview hours before the verdict that “Brazilian democracy will not be intimidated.”
The decision was not unanimous. Justice Luiz Fux voted to acquit Bolsonaro of all charges, questioning the court’s jurisdiction. His dissent could provide grounds for appeals, potentially delaying the case’s conclusion and pushing it closer to the October 2026 presidential election.
Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest, has repeatedly vowed to run in 2026 despite being barred from holding office. His lawyers called the sentencing “absurdly excessive” and said they would file appeals.
The conviction marks the lowest point in Bolsonaro’s dramatic political rise—from the backbenches of Congress to building a powerful conservative coalition that strained Brazil’s young democratic institutions.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued an updated weather forecast, highlighting the likelihood of thunderstorms and varying intensities of rainfall across various regions of the country from Friday to Sunday.
Released in Abuja on Thursday, this three-day outlook serves as a precautionary alert, indicating potential flooding risks and urging citizens to take necessary safety measures.
Beginning Friday morning, the northern states are expected to experience isolated thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall. Specifically, areas including Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi are likely to feel the impact of these weather conditions.
As the weekend progresses, Saturday will bring a shift in weather patterns. NiMet anticipates a predominantly cloudy sky, interspersed with moments of sunshine throughout the northern region.
However, residents should be prepared for more isolated thunderstorms and moderate rains to develop later in the day, particularly affecting the states of Taraba, Adamawa, southern Borno, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kano, and Katsina.
By Sunday, the forecast indicates a continuation of cloudy skies coupled with intervals of sunshine over the northern region. There remains a possibility of isolated thunderstorms, during which light rainfall may occur in the morning across parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and take appropriate preparations as these weather developments unfold.
The central states are also expected to experience rainfall, with varying intensity throughout the forecast period.
“For the central region, cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is expected over this region during the morning hours with chances of light rains over Niger, Kogi, and Benue States,” NiMet explained.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory,” the forecast added
For Saturday, thunderstorm with moderate rain is anticipated over most parts of the region in the afternoon/evening hours, while on Sunday, there will be cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine expected over this region, with prospects of thunderstorms with moderate rain over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue States during the afternoon or evening period.
The southern states will see more consistent rainfall throughout the forecast period.
“There are prospects of intermittent moderate rainfall over most parts of the southern region throughout the forecast period.”
“There are prospects of flooding over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States,” NiMet stated
On Saturday, cloudy skies are anticipated over the region with chances of moderate rains over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours. Later in the day, light to moderate rain is expected over most parts of the region.
By Sunday, cloudy skies are anticipated over the southern region with prospects of moderate rains over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours. In the afternoon/evening periods, moderate rains are anticipated over most parts of the region.
Safety warnings and advice
NiMet issued safety guidelines to reduce risks associated with the predicted heavy rains.
The agency warned that driving under heavy rain should be avoided, and to avoid leaching of nutrients, farmers should refrain from applying fertilizer and pesticides right before the rains.
“They should ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions. Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. There is a need to stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees,” NiMet added.
Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
NiMet urged Nigerians to remain updated on daily forecasts, stressing that “residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng.”
In a significant policy shift, the Federal Government has announced that starting in 2027, only secondary schools staffed by certified teachers will be permitted to serve as accredited centers for public examinations.
This directive was communicated through a memo issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
Dr. Alausa emphasized that this new requirement is part of a broader strategy to enhance professionalism and ensure quality assurance within the teaching profession.
By setting this standard, the government aims to elevate educational standards and guarantee that students are evaluated in an environment led by qualified educators.
The minister explained that, starting from 2027, schools whose teachers lack certification from TRCN will be disqualified from conducting national examinations, including WASSCE, NABTEB, NECO, and NBIAS.
“Accordingly, effective from March 2027 for WASSCE, May 2027 for NABTEB, June 2027 for NECO and June 2027 for SAISSCE, any school whose teachers are not duly registered and licensed with the TRCN shall be disqualified from serving as an examination centre,” Alausa said.
He also directed state governments to align with the policy and ensure necessary measures are put in place for compliance in both public and private schools.
The government set a two-year compliance window to allow schools and teachers to meet the new requirements.
“Compliance with this directive shall be monitored, with schools expected to achieve a minimum compliance rate of 75 per cent by 2026 and full compliance of 100 per cent by 2027,” the minister stated.
This means that by 2026, schools will need to demonstrate significant progress, or risk eventual disqualification from accreditation.
To ensure teachers have sufficient opportunity to regularize their qualifications, the government has made provisions for an abridged certification route.
Alausa advised that teachers who are non-education graduates but have at least 12 months of classroom teaching experience should enrol in the National Teachers Institute (NTI).
He explained that the affected teachers could qualify for the abridged professional certification programme offered through the National Teachers Institute (NTI).
The NTI programme consists of professional short courses lasting between three to six months, after which participants can register and obtain licensing from TRCN.
The Minister urged education stakeholders to take the directive seriously and ensure proper awareness campaigns are conducted nationwide.
He stressed that schools must prioritize compliance to avoid disruptions in the accreditation process for public examinations.
He added that teachers and school administrators should give the directive the highest priority and ensure wide sensitisation of stakeholders across the country so as to avoid disruption of accreditation for public examinations.
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