Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the TFN fellowship FAQ page. Use the quick links below to find answers to your frequently asked questions.

General FAQs

The Teach for Nigeria Fellowship program is a two-year, full-time, paid commitment in which we place outstanding graduates and professionals to teach in Nigeria’s under-served schools in low-income communities. It’s a transformational leadership program that equips fellows with the transferable leadership skills they need to drive change beyond the classroom in the communities we serve.

The two-year commitment is necessary to make the impact we wish to have on student achievement. In the first year, Fellows refine their teaching skills and establish respect and trust among various stakeholders within the school community and the students. This allows Fellows to achieve significant academic gains for students. In the second year, Fellows engage in their community projects to further their impact. During the two years, you will strive to transform the student, transform as a leader and transform your school and community.

According to UNICEF, over 58.3% of school pupils aren’t learning, while nearly half of sixth grade students can’t read. West African Senior School Certificate Exams (WASSCE) results show that between 2008 and 2015, secondary school student pass rates didn’t exceed 40%.

These figures are alarming and show that we’re giving our children little or no hope for a future with opportunities. Teach for Nigeria offers you the chance to make a difference and to improve those statistics by tackling one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges: educational inequity.

The fellowship will also help you to develop the leadership skills that are critical in today’s dynamic professional environment. You’ll benefit personally and professionally while becoming part of the solution and a change agent who will transform education in Nigeria.

If you are a Public School Teacher in Ogun State, you can apply through our Existing Teachers Pathway.

No. Many of our fellows come from academic backgrounds outside of education and don’t have any prior teaching experience. During our training programmes, we’ll empower you with the necessary knowledge and skills to do well in the classroom.

Yes, the Teach for Nigeria fellowship is a paid fellowship.

Yes! As a Teach for Nigeria fellow, you’ll be part of a movement of young leaders that are working to eliminate educational inequity. Some of the key benefits to being a TFN fellow include:

  • Real responsibility from day one
  • The opportunity to be part of a movement that’s changing lives and society
  • Extensive leadership development training and intensive teacher training
  • The chance to be part of a global network of change agents from across 60 countries
  • Access to a mentoring programme, offering a unique opportunity for professional and personal development
  • Access to professional development, coaching, business training, skill workshops and a network of supporters
  • The opportunity to participate in a sponsored professional diploma in education program
  • The chance to design and implement a social change project
  • A stipend for two years including during the school holidays.

 

At Teach for Nigeria, we strongly believe that teachers use the same skills as any other leaders. Two years in the classroom will help fellows to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills like organization, communication, and problem-solving in an unstructured environment. These skills are transferable and valuable in every sector.

Teach for Nigeria fellows receive support throughout the duration of their fellowship. Our pool of Facilitators, Coaches, and Mentors are always available to help fellows become effective teachers and leaders. The support includes ongoing teacher training, mentoring, and professional and personal development.

Teach for Nigeria works relentlessly to ensure that all fellows have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead their students. The Teach for Nigeria fellowship begins with a six-week residential training program where fellows are introduced to the curriculum, lesson planning, classroom facilitation and student assessments among other subjects.

Yes, the Teach for Nigeria fellowship is a full-time position which follows the Nigerian school calendar from September to July.

Yes. The summer institute is a six-week residential training program that’s an integral part of Teach for Nigeria. At the summer institute, fellows are introduced to the curriculum, lesson planning, classroom facilitation and student assessments among other subjects.

Teach for Nigeria doesn’t provide accommodation for fellows. However, accommodation is provided during the summer training institute, which all prospective fellows must attend

No. Teach for Nigeria places fellows in schools that are under-served and under-resourced in low-income communities.

Teach for Nigeria fellows are placed in primary and secondary schools and will be required to teach subjects from the Nigerian school curriculum. At primary school, you’ll teach English language, mathematics and basic science. At secondary school, you’ll teach subjects in line with your course of study.

Our fellows are posted to either Lagos or Ogun state and teach in either a primary or a secondary school.

Under-served or under-resourced schools are low-income schools that are facing academic challenges and/or are located in a community facing socio-economic challenges.

The safety of our fellows is a priority. We have a team of staff members in each of our placement communities, working hard to support our fellows. Our teams also help to smoothen the transition into different communities at the start of the fellowship by organising meetings with important stakeholders in those communities. We do our best to make you feel safe and at home as soon as possible!

Teach for Nigeria’s partner schools are currently located in two states (Lagos and Ogun). We’ll let you know during the recruitment process if this changes.

Post-Fellowship Opportunities

Joining Teach for Nigeria doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have a teaching job.

After the two-year fellowship, Teach for Nigeria Fellows become TFN alumni and join our network of leaders across over 61 countries. Our alumni are supported in their personal and professional growth as they become influencers, innovators, visionaries, advocates, entrepreneurs and active participants in the education ecosystem. There are many options after the fellowship, including but not limited to:

  • Continuing to make an impact in the public education system in schools, districts, states and at the federal level
  • Driving social innovations and enterprise working to tackle issues in education
  • Contributing to the field of education as an advocate or academic in policy and research work, in or related to education
  • Joining private organizations and multinationals whose core business is to provide resources like finances, skills, and influence to further Teach for Nigeria’s vision and mission
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If you’d like to continue teaching after the fellowship, it would mean applying to become a full-time civil servant with the Ministry of Education. Depending on your performance during the fellowship, we can support you through this process and will do our best to help. However, the ultimate decision and placement will be made by the Ministry.

Teach for Nigeria will provide all fellows with a certificate of participation. In addition, Teach for Nigeria is working with universities to provide fellows with teaching qualifications.

Application Requirements

Visit the application page on our official website to register your personal details. You’ll then receive an email containing a link to begin your application.

All Teach for Nigeria fellows are Nigerian citizens or of Nigerian origin. You can apply to the Teach for Nigeria fellowship if you meet this requirement.

To be eligible, you must be a Nigerian citizen, hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Second class lower (2:2), have completed NYSC, and be younger than 35. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, you can fill out the eligibility (registration) form to ascertain your eligibility status.

Applications for the Fellowship Program usually open between the First and Second Month of the year. Prospective Applicants will be notified and advertisements will go out on various media channels. To get started, complete the application form on our website. The Recruitment team will review your application and if you’re successful, you will be invited for a short test and an assessment day in Lagos. If you’re successful at the assessment centre, you’ll receive your final offer.

Technical Challenges

Try using a different browser. We prefer Chrome and UC Browser, but you should be able to access the application on Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

It could be an issue with your internet connection or our website. Ensure you have a strong internet connection when trying to access the page. Refresh the page and try again and if the issue persists, email itsolutions@teachfornigeria.org for help.
Check your spam folder in case your unique link is in there. If the issue remains unresolved, please drop us an email at itsolutions@teachfornigeria.org and our team will be more than happy to help you. Ensure that you type your email address correctly when filling out the registration form. If you enter the wrong email when filling out the form, you won’t receive a link to continue with your registration.