Editor’s Note: The names of affected graduates have been changed to protect their identities due to the sensitive nature of their responses.
By Gbayesola Samuel
For some University of Ibadan graduates, completing the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) examination has not brought the professional recognition they expected.
Months after sitting for the examination, some graduates say they are still waiting for their induction, professional licence and certificates, leaving them questioning why a process they have completed remains unresolved.
*Yemi, an affected graduate, said the delay became more difficult to understand after she learnt that a colleague who sat for the same examination on the same day at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) had already received her certificate.
She said the situation became so unclear that they had to provide evidence that they had actually sat for the examination.
The concern extends beyond the most recent graduates. IndyPress’ review found that three cohorts are currently caught in the delay, having sat for the TRCN examination on November 22, 2023, June 6, 2024, and November 6, 2025, respectively.
Further checks by IndyPress found that the last recorded TRCN induction at the Faculty of Education took place on May 25, 2023 reportedly, under the then Dean,. This means the three affected cohorts sat for their examinations after the last recorded induction.
The 2025 set finished their exams in November 2025
For graduates from the 2025 set, the examination was only one stage in a process they say they did not fully understand.
Speaking with IndyPress, *Segun, a recent graduate who sat for the examination, said candidates were required to make several payments during the process, including payments for the licence and certificate.
A dedicated WhatsApp group was created for prospective educators from the affected sets, where updates were shared by faculty representatives.
According to Segun, information about another payment for the licence and certification was communicated around January, with February given as the deadline.
“So, they started the registration, and there was no prior information about how the examination would be scheduled, and when, or the licence would be given, and the certification would be given.”
“We made payment for certification, we made payment for licence, and we wrote the exam in November last year.”
Segun said candidates were later informed that they needed to make another payment for the licence and certification.
“We were told in January… to make another payment for licence and certification, which we did. They gave us a deadline, which was February.”
He said candidates continued to receive requests to complete forms or provide information even after making the payments.
“Like two people, they will just come up with a story that some of you have not filled your form, come to the office; some of you have not done this, come to the office.”
According to information obtained by IndyPress, February 28 was initially given as the deadline for the process, while an extension was subsequently communicated, moving the deadline to March 14.
IndyPress also confirmed that the collation process continued while payment windows remained open, including days after the initial deadline.
The process did not end with payment.
Segun said candidates were not informed before the examination that the licence and certification process could extend for months after the examination.
“We wrote the exam in November last year without any prior information that the pre-certification and the licence will take another one year before it will be given.”
He said the continued delay has left graduates waiting for documents they expected to receive after completing the required process.
“Since then, we have been waiting for certification and licence. I think that’s just what the whole drama is all about. Like the delay has been so dramatic.”
‘The delay is costing us opportunities’ – Graduates
For some affected graduates, the issue goes beyond waiting for a certificate.
*Ada, a working-class graduate, said the delay has affected opportunities for which the certification was required.
“People have missed a lot of opportunities that they needed this certification for. Already, they are already missing out on so many opportunities.
“Even though I am talking to you now, I have so many things that I wanted to use that certification for, but because of that certification, I cannot put in for it.”
Segun also said some graduates on the WhatsApp platform had complained that the absence of the licence was affecting their employment benefits.
“So, a lot of people like that on that platform are like they can’t get an increment in their salary because they don’t have the licence to prove that they are certified teachers.”
He said a faculty representative, Dr Idowu Meroyi, had cited due process as part of the reason for the delay.
But Segun questioned why the process was not clearly communicated before candidates began registration and payment.
“Due process, you didn’t tell us the due process before we registered, and this is almost taking another year after we even write the exam.”
Matters arising from the payments
The delay also raised concerns over additional payments.
Following the initial payment cycle, candidates were asked to pay an additional ₦14,000 on June 17, 2026, more than three months after the earlier payment deadline.
Following some intervention at thta time, the additional fee was later waived for the affected students.
Despite this, the induction and certification process remained unresolved as of the time of this report.
“The university has not given us their details and payment” – TRCN
While affected graduates have questioned the delay, the explanation from TRCN points to an issue between the university and the council.
Speaking with IndyPress, Mrs Elizabeth Bagwams, an official at TRCN’s Abuja office, said she made enquiries with the Oyo State coordinator regarding the affected graduates.
According to her, the university had not provided TRCN with the candidates’ details and payment.
“According to her, she said the university has not given us their details and payment.”
Bagwams also said TRCN does not necessarily conduct induction every year and explained that induction generally follows the examination cycle.
“They don’t do induction yearly, it is a year after PQEI before induction. Those that wrote “2022 did induction 2023, 2023 did 2024, 2024 did 2025, 2025 are still waiting.”
She advised the affected graduates to make further enquiries from the university and provide evidence of any payment made to TRCN.
“It would be appreciated if you can make further enquiries from the school too to provide evidence of payment made to TRCN if any.”
IndyPress’ inquiries suggest that the issue may therefore extend beyond the processing of certificates by TRCN and into the transmission and remittance of candidates’ information and payments by the faculty of Education Induction committee.
University yet to respond
IndyPress contacted the Dean of Students, Professor Demola Lewis, and the focal person in the Faculty of Education’s induction committee, Dr Meroyi, for clarification on the status of the affected cohorts. As of publication, messages sent had not received a response.
IndyPress will update this report if responses are received.
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