Tinubu Appoints Ronke Soyombo As New TRCN Registrar, Replacing Ajiboye.
In a significant shake-up within Nigeria’s education sector, President Bola Tinubu has sacked Professor Segun Ajiboye as the Chief Executive and Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), appointing Mrs Ronke Soyombo as his replacement. The announcement, made on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, marks a new chapter for the agency tasked with regulating the teaching profession across the country.
Professor Ajiboye, who was re-appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 for a five-year term set to conclude in September 2026, has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect. The reasons for his removal were not disclosed, but the decision aligns with President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to reposition key government agencies for greater efficiency.
Mrs Ronke Soyombo, a seasoned educationist with over 30 years of experience, steps into the role with an impressive track record. Previously, she served as the Senior Special Adviser on Education, Science, and Technology to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, a position she held since 2019 across two terms. She also briefly acted as Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology in Ogun State, while simultaneously heading the state’s Teaching Service Commission and Universal Basic Education Board.
Soyombo’s appointment was formalised last week during a ceremony in Abuja, where the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, presented her with her letter of appointment. She officially assumed her duties at the TRCN headquarters on Monday, 19 May 2025. Her tenure as Registrar and Chief Executive is expected to span five years, during which she will oversee the regulation and professionalisation of teaching in Nigeria.
With a robust academic background, Soyombo holds a degree in Chemistry Education from the University of Lagos and a law degree from London Guildhall University. She further bolstered her credentials with a Microsoft certification in 1997. Her extensive experience spans both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, positioning her as a capable leader to drive the TRCN’s mandate of enhancing teacher quality and professionalism.
The TRCN, established to regulate and standardise the teaching profession, plays a critical role in ensuring that educators meet global standards. Soyombo’s appointment has been met with optimism by stakeholders, who see her wealth of experience as a catalyst for transformative reforms in the sector. Her prior roles in Ogun State, where she championed educational initiatives, are expected to inform her approach to addressing challenges such as teacher training, certification, and welfare.
As Soyombo takes the helm, the education sector looks forward to her leadership in strengthening the TRCN’s operations and fostering collaboration with state governments and international partners to elevate the standard of teaching in Nigeria.
