The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has warned teachers, school owners and prospective applicants to be vigilant against fraudulent individuals and online platforms falsely claiming to represent the council in registration, certification and licensing matters.
The warning was issued by the Registrar and Chief Executive of TRCN, Dr Ronke Soyombo, in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday following reports of individuals and groups allegedly using the council’s name, logo and identity to deceive members of the public.
Soyombo said the council had not appointed or authorised any agent, consultant, third party or staff member to collect payments or process its services outside the approved procedures and official channels.
She specifically listed registration, certification, licensing, employment and promotion-related processes among the services being targeted by alleged fraudsters.
According to the registrar, members of the public should rely exclusively on the council’s authorised channels when seeking information or accessing TRCN services.
She identified the council’s official website, www.trcn.gov.ng, as its only approved online platform for information concerning its programmes and services.
“The Council does not own or operate any other portal other than our official website: www.trcn.gov.ng,” Soyombo said.
The warning comes as fraudulent actors allegedly exploit online communication platforms to present themselves as intermediaries capable of helping teachers obtain TRCN-related documentation or access services.
Soyombo therefore urged teachers and other stakeholders to treat unsolicited information received through social media platforms, WhatsApp, emails and unfamiliar websites with caution, particularly where such messages claim to offer registration, the Professional Qualifying Examination, certification or licensing services.
She said members of the public should not assume that a platform is legitimate simply because it carries TRCN’s name, logo or other identifying information.
The registrar also issued a specific warning concerning payments, advising Nigerians not to transfer money into personal bank accounts in connection with purported TRCN services.
According to her, the council does not receive payments through personal accounts, making requests for such payments a significant warning sign for applicants and other stakeholders.
The consequences of using unofficial channels could extend beyond financial losses, as Soyombo said documents obtained through fraudulent processes would not be accepted by TRCN.
“Certificates and licences issued outside our official process are fake, invalid and not recognised by the council,” she stated.
The council’s position means teachers and applicants who obtain certificates or licences through unauthorised individuals or platforms cannot rely on those documents as valid TRCN credentials.
Soyombo consequently urged members of the public to confirm the authenticity of any information or service before making payments or submitting personal details.
The registrar also called on people who may already have interacted with suspected fraudsters to report the matter. Nigerians who have transferred money to suspected scammers or received suspicious calls, messages or payment requests allegedly made on behalf of TRCN were advised to report the incidents to relevant security agencies.
They were also encouraged to notify TRCN through the council’s recognised communication channels.
The council said it was taking steps to address the alleged impersonation and fraudulent activities. According to Soyombo, TRCN has instructed its legal advisers and relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate individuals found to be impersonating the council or using its identity to defraud members of the public.
“Such fraudulent acts constitute criminal offences and will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.
The warning applies broadly to teachers seeking professional registration, applicants pursuing certification and licensing, school owners and other stakeholders who may interact with the council.
TRCN’s warning also highlights the risks associated with relying on unofficial intermediaries for government-regulated professional processes. Applicants who encounter claims that their registration or certification can be expedited through an agent are expected to verify such claims through the council before taking further action.
Teachers and school owners have therefore been advised to confirm information directly through TRCN’s approved channels rather than relying on social media posts, WhatsApp messages, emails or websites that have not been officially identified by the council.
The council said its position is aimed at protecting the integrity of the processes through which teachers are registered, certified and licensed in Nigeria.
For prospective applicants, the key message from TRCN is that no third-party payment arrangement or unofficial portal should be treated as an authorised route to obtaining its services.
Soyombo also urged stakeholders to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming to have special access to TRCN officials or promising successful processing of documents outside the council’s established procedures.
The council maintained that legitimate registration, certification and licensing must follow its approved processes.
By warning against fake portals and unauthorised agents, TRCN said it was seeking to prevent members of the public from being deceived while protecting the credibility of professional teacher registration and licensing in the country.
The council further reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its registration, certification and licensing systems and to pursuing individuals who attempt to exploit the TRCN identity for fraudulent purposes.
Teachers, school owners and other stakeholders are consequently expected to verify the authenticity of any TRCN-related communication before making payments, providing information or proceeding with an application.
The council’s official website remains the stated reference point for information about its programmes and services, while suspected fraudulent activity should be reported to the relevant authorities and communicated to TRCN through its recognised channels.
TRCN Warns Teachers, School Owners Against Fake Certification and Licensing Agents
