The Federal Government has launched a new Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework, requiring all teachers in public and private schools to complete ethics screening and criminal background checks before employment.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa announced the policy on Monday, August 25, in Abuja during the launch of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital portal and its updated strategic vision for teaching.
Alausa explained that the framework is part of broader reforms aimed at restoring professionalism and accountability in Nigeria’s education system.
“No teacher, whether in public or private institutions, will henceforth be employed without undergoing ethics screening and criminal background checks.
Private school owners will also be required to verify the TRCN registration and ethical clearance of their teachers,” he said.
The framework will be built into the TRCN digital portal, which allows real-time teacher registration, licensing, and monitoring.
This enables school owners, government agencies, and stakeholders to verify teachers’ credentials and ensure they meet professional standards, helping prevent impersonation, document forgery, and hiring of unqualified staff.
“This policy will safeguard the integrity of the classroom by ensuring that only individuals of sound moral character and proven ethical conduct are entrusted with nurturing future generations,” Alausa added.
TRCN Registrar Dr. Ronke Soyombo highlighted that about 30 percent of Nigerian school-age children cannot read or write, emphasizing the need for better teacher quality.
She said the new digital portal includes AI-powered lesson planning tools, integrated criminal record checks, and teachers’ investigation panels in all states.
Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, confirmed UK government support for Nigeria’s education reforms. The Commission worked with TRCN to develop the digital portal.
Attfield acknowledged Nigeria’s education system is complex but believes the new framework can improve teaching quality through accountability and incentives, calling the initiative “herculean but achievable.”
