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Nigerian Universities Start Accepting "Class Master" Credentials for Postgraduate Admission

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, December 12th 2025 at 17:08 GMT by legit

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Universities in Nigeria Now Accept “Class Master” Credentials – What It Means for Teachers and Higher‑Education

In a move that could reshape the professional trajectory of thousands of Nigerian teachers, a growing number of universities across the country have announced that they will accept “Class Master” certificates as a valid qualification for admission into their postgraduate programmes. The policy, revealed by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and backed by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), signals a shift toward recognising experiential learning and targeted training as equivalent to a traditional university degree. For teachers who have spent years in the classroom but never had the chance to sit for a bachelor’s exam, the new rule offers a clear pathway to advanced study and higher remuneration.

What Is a “Class Master”?

The term “Class Master” refers to a professional teacher qualification that is awarded after completing a structured, ministry‑approved training programme. The curriculum blends pedagogical theory with hands‑on classroom management and subject‑specific modules. In practice, it is the next rung on the teacher‑career ladder, positioned between the Basic Teacher Education Certificate and a full‑time university degree. The training is usually six to eight months long, and candidates must also have at least two years of teaching experience.

The classification system—often described in terms of “Class I” to “Class III” Masters—provides a tiered framework that lets the ministry gauge a teacher’s expertise and readiness for further advancement. Class Master certificates are issued by the NCCE after a rigorous examination process that tests both content knowledge and practical teaching ability.

Why the Change?

The decision to accept Class Master certificates into university programmes comes after years of lobbying from teachers’ unions, educational NGOs, and a growing body of academic research that highlights the scarcity of formal higher‑education credentials among Nigeria’s teaching workforce. According to the FME, roughly 40 % of primary and secondary teachers possess no post‑secondary degree, which hampers both individual career growth and overall classroom quality.

“Recognising the Class Master credential is a pragmatic step to bridge the gap between classroom experience and academic credentials,” said Dr. Uche Okafor, a spokesperson for the NCCE. “It will motivate teachers to engage in continuous professional development, and it will produce a new cohort of educators who bring real‑world classroom insights into advanced study.”

The policy is also designed to align with Nigeria’s Vision 2030 education goals, which call for a “modern, dynamic, and globally competitive” teaching corps. By providing a formal route for experienced teachers to pursue master’s degrees, the ministry hopes to raise the overall standard of teaching, increase teacher retention, and ultimately improve student outcomes.

How It Works in Practice

Under the new rule, universities that accept Class Master certificates typically do so for programmes such as:

• Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching and Curriculum
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Educational Management
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Information Technology – for teachers in STEM subjects
• Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Educational Leadership

Each university will set its own minimum score requirement on the Class Master examination and may also require a teaching portfolio or a short research proposal. Applicants who satisfy the criteria can enrol alongside students who hold traditional bachelor’s degrees.

In addition to direct admission, many institutions have also introduced “bridge programmes” that allow Class Master holders to complete a shortened bachelor’s course before pursuing their master's. These programmes, offered in collaboration with the NCCE, are tailored to cover gaps in subject knowledge that may exist between the Class Master training and university curricula.

Universities Leading the Way

A number of flagship universities have been quick to adopt the new admission policy:

These institutions have already begun to review their admissions guidelines and have announced official dates for the first intake of Class Master holders in the upcoming academic year.

Reactions from the Teaching Community

The response from teachers’ unions has been overwhelmingly positive. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) released a statement congratulating the ministry for “recognising the value of experience and practical skill in shaping a competent educational workforce.” The statement also urged the government to expand the Class Master training across all states to level the playing field for teachers in underserved regions.

Some educators, however, voiced concerns about potential disparities in the quality of training across different states. “While the idea is commendable, we must ensure that the Class Master curriculum is uniformly rigorous,” cautioned Mr. Tunde Akin, a senior teacher from the North‑East region.

Challenges and Future Outlook

The policy’s success hinges on a few critical factors:

1. Standardisation of the Class Master Programme – Ensuring that all training centres adhere to a uniform syllabus and assessment methodology will be essential to maintain the credential’s credibility.
2. Capacity of Universities – A sudden influx of Class Master applicants could strain existing resources. Universities will need to scale their faculty and infrastructure accordingly.
3. Ongoing Professional Development – The Ministry plans to introduce refresher courses for Class Master holders to keep them abreast of evolving pedagogical trends and technology integration.

If these hurdles are surmounted, the acceptance of Class Master credentials could usher in a new era of teacher empowerment. Teachers who once saw a master’s degree as a distant dream may soon be enrolling in graduate programmes, bringing classroom realities into academic discourse and, ultimately, enriching the learning experience for future generations.

Bottom Line

The decision by Nigerian universities to accept Class Master certificates marks a milestone in the country’s education reform agenda. By recognising practical experience and structured training as a legitimate pathway to higher education, the policy not only rewards dedicated teachers but also sets the stage for a more skilled, adaptable, and globally competitive teaching force. As universities roll out their new admission criteria and the Ministry expands the Class Master programme nationwide, the ripple effect could be felt across classrooms, curriculum development, and the overall quality of education in Nigeria.