The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has disowned online platforms and individuals allegedly using its name to offer fake registration, certification and licensing services, warning teachers and other applicants against falling victim to fraud.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Registrar/Chief Executive, Dr Ronke Soyombo, said some individuals and groups had been using TRCN’s name, logo and identity to deceive and extort money from the public.
TRCN said it had not authorised any agent, consultant, third party or staff member to collect money or process registration, certification, licensing, employment or promotion outside its approved procedures, stressing that www.trcn.gov.ng remained its only official online platform.
The council warned applicants against paying into personal bank accounts, saying certificates and licences obtained outside its official process were fake, invalid and not recognised.
It urged teachers, school owners and applicants to disregard unverified information and verify all claims through official channels, advising anyone who had made payments to suspected fraudsters, or received suspicious messages purportedly from the council, to report to security agencies and notify TRCN.
TRCN said it had directed its legal advisers and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute impersonators, warning that such acts constitute criminal offences under Nigerian law.