Step-by-step guide for BSc, HND, ND holders to apply for FG’s six-month teacher certification

The Federal Ministry of Education, working with the National Teachers’ Institute and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, has opened applications for a new programme allowing non-education graduates already teaching to obtain professional certification within six months.

According to Punch Newspapers, the initiative, called the Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), targets teachers who hold academic qualifications but lack formal pedagogical training. Applications for Cohort 1 opened this week and close on September 18, 2026.

The programme offers two tracks depending on an applicant’s existing qualification: a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for degree or HND holders, and a Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) for ND or OND holders. Both run for six months, combining coursework with supervised teaching practice, and applicants need at least 24 months of prior classroom experience.

Steps to apply:

1. Confirm eligibility — Applicants must already be teaching in a public or non-state school, or working in early childhood, primary, secondary, technical/vocational, or non-formal education settings, with a minimum of two years’ classroom experience.
2. Choose the correct pathway — Bachelor’s degree or HND holders apply for the PGDE; ND or OND holders apply for the PDE.
3. Gather required documents — A valid National Identification Number, the relevant academic certificate, and proof of teaching such as an appointment letter, an attestation from a school head, or pay records.
4. Visit the application portal — Go to the official ATPP portal at applicant.safapply.com/atpp.
5. Create an account — Register using a personal email address and phone number; applicants applying on someone else’s behalf should use that person’s email, since it is needed for password recovery.
6. Select the qualification pathway — Choose either PGDE or PDE on the portal before proceeding.
7. Upload documents and submit — Attach all required certificates and evidence, then complete the application before the September 18 deadline.
8. Pay the programme fee — The listed fee is ₦200,000 per teacher.

Successful candidates must complete their credit units, pass teaching practice, and sit the TRCN Professional Qualifying Examination before becoming eligible for TRCN registration. The programme will run through institutions including the National Teachers’ Institute, University of Lagos, University of Ilorin, and Ahmadu Bello University, among others.