TRCN alerts teachers to fake registration portals, certificates

The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has raised the alarm over fraudulent websites and individuals allegedly using its name and identity to deceive teachers and other members of the public.

The council’s Registrar/Chief Executive, Dr Ronke Soyombo, issued the warning in Abuja on Wednesday following reports of persons and groups impersonating TRCN officials and collecting money for purported registration, certification, licensing, employment and promotion services.

Soyombo said the council had not appointed any agent, consultant, third party or staff member to receive payments or process its services outside officially approved channels.

She identified www.trcn.gov.ng as the council’s only authorised online platform for information and access to its programmes and services.

“The Council does not own or operate any other portal other than our official website: www.trcn.gov.ng,” she said.

The registrar urged teachers, school proprietors and prospective applicants to disregard social media posts, WhatsApp messages, emails and websites claiming to provide access to TRCN registration, the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE), certification or licensing.

She also warned against paying money into personal bank accounts, stressing that TRCN does not receive payments through such accounts.

According to Soyombo, any certificate or licence obtained through an unofficial process would have no validity with the council.

“Certificates and licences issued outside our official process are FAKE, INVALID and NOT RECOGNISED by the Council,” she said.

She advised anyone who had already transferred money to suspected fraudsters or received suspicious messages, calls or payment demands purportedly from TRCN to report the matter to security agencies and notify the council through its recognised communication channels.

Soyombo said TRCN had instructed its legal advisers and relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate cases of impersonation and fraud involving the council and prosecute those found culpable.

She described the activities as criminal offences that would be dealt with under Nigerian law.

The registrar further urged stakeholders to independently verify information through TRCN’s official channels before making payments or responding to purported offers for council services.

She said the council remained committed to safeguarding the credibility of teacher registration, certification and licensing in Nigeria.