TRCN Blames Service Provider for December Portal Disruption, Assures Stability
The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has clarified that a brief disruption to its digital portal in December 2025 was caused by technical challenges with its previous service provider, not persistent failures as some have claimed. Registrar Dr. Ronke Soyombo addressed the issue in a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, March 26, 2026, following concerns raised by Nigerian teachers over accessibility problems.
Resolution and Reassurance
Dr. Soyombo explained that the portal experienced a downtime lasting only one week in December, which was promptly resolved after the council disengaged the responsible developer and migrated to a new provider. "In December, we had some issues with the developer, so our portal was down for one week. We resolved it and switched to another developer," she stated. She dismissed allegations of ongoing technical failures as misleading and politically motivated, emphasizing that the portal is now fully stable and operational.
Commitment to Efficiency and Revenue
The Registrar stressed the council's dedication to efficiency and revenue generation, noting that it would be counterproductive to schedule examinations, such as those planned for May 14 to 16, 2026, with a faulty system. "As much as I am an educationist, I also have a responsibility to generate revenue for government. Every agency is expected to remit 50 per cent. I would not announce an examination and have the portal down. That would be counterproductive," she added, highlighting the importance of reliable digital infrastructure for TRCN's operations.
Addressing Digital Literacy and Inclusivity
Dr. Soyombo acknowledged that some teachers still face challenges accessing the portal due to limited digital literacy. To mitigate this, TRCN continues to offer alternative channels, including physical registration at state offices nationwide. "We still have teachers who cannot access the portal because of digital literacy issues. That is why our state offices remain open. At no time in January was the portal down," she clarified.
On inclusivity, particularly for teachers in rural areas with poor internet connectivity, the Registrar outlined ongoing efforts to bridge the gap. These include:
- Deployment of help desk officers in tertiary institutions.
- Mobile outreach programs in select states.
- Sensitisation campaigns in underserved communities.
She noted that collaboration with stakeholders such as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), state commissioners, and education administrators has been key in expanding access. "We are not fully there yet, it is still a work in progress. But we are making efforts to ensure inclusivity and reach teachers in rural areas," she added.
Future Plans and Certification Requirements
Responding to suggestions for offline integration, Dr. Soyombo said the council is exploring the idea but is currently focused on launching a mobile application to enhance accessibility. "By the end of April, we intend to introduce an app that will make access more convenient for users. We will also consider offline integration as suggested," she announced.
Regarding teacher certification, the Registrar reiterated that all individuals engaged in teaching, from early childhood to tertiary levels, must be registered and certified by TRCN in accordance with its mandate. "Whether you teach children or adults, you must be certified. The minimum qualification is the Nigeria Certificate in Education or a degree with relevant education training such as a postgraduate diploma in education," she emphasized, underscoring the council's role in maintaining professional standards in the education sector.
