SECTION                                                                    

1. Establishment of the National Teachers' Institute and the Council.
2. Composition of the Council.
3. General duties of the Council.
4. Director of the Institute.
5. Registrar and other staff of the Institute.
6. Application of the Pensions Act, etc.
7. Duties of the Council in relation.to the Institute.
8. Power to accept gifts.
9. Offices and premises.
10. Financial provisions.
11. Accounts and audit.
12. Annual report.
13. Establishment of certain bodies within the Institute.
14. Discipline of students.
15. Power of the Minister to give directions to the Council.
16. Regulations.
17. Interpretation.
18. Short title.

SCHEDULE

Supplementary provisions relating to the Council, etc.

NATIONAL TEACHERS' INSTITUTE ACT

An Act to establish the National Teachers' Institute to be managed by a National 
Teachers' Institute Council and to be responsible for the organisation and provision
of programmes for the training, development, upgrading and certification 
of teachers and to provide for other matters related thereto.

[1978 No.7.]

[10th April, 1978]

[Commencement.]

1. Establishment of the National Teachers' Institute and the Council

(I) There is hereby established an institute to be known as the National Teachers'
Institute (in this Act referred to as "the Institute").

(2) There shall be established for the management of the affairs of the Institute a
council to be known as the National Teachers' Institute Council (in this Act referred to as
"the Council") which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common
seal.

2. Composition of the Council

(1) The Council shall consist of a chairman and the following other members, that is-

      (a)        the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education of Nigeria or his representative;

      (b)        the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria or his representative;

     (c)        the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority or his representative;

     (d)        two persons selected from universities in Nigeria;

     (e)        the Director of the Institute;

     (f)         two persons chosen on the basis of their individual contributions to the development of education in Nigeria;

    (g)        a representative from each State Ministry of Education; and

    (h)        a representative of the Nigerian Union of Teachers.

(2) The chairman and members of the Council shall be appointed by the President on
the recommendation of the Minister.

(3) The members specified in paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (I) of this section
are hereafter referred to as "ex-officio members".

(4) The provisions of the Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to the
constitution of the Council and the other matters therein mentioned.

[Schedule.]

3. General duties of the Council

It shall be the duty of the Council to-

       (a)        organise and provide programmes for the training, development, upgrading
and certification of teachers;

       (b)        conduct postgraduate courses and examinations in education for graduate
teachers;

       (c)        carry out research in conjuction with other bodies on any matter relevant to
educational development in Nigeria;

      (d)        formulate policies and initiate programmes at all levels of education designed
to improve, by way of research, the quality and content of education in Nigeria;

      (e)        assess, from time to time, the training programmes offered by institutions controlled
by or associated with the Institute with a view to ascertaining the professional competence of those institutions;

      (f)        offer such assistance, either alone or in co-operation with educational bodies,
as may be requested by the institutions controlled by or associated with the Institute;

     (g)        foster and enhance international co-operation in the education of teachers; and

     (h)        perform such other functions as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge of any
of the functions of the Institute under this Act.

4. Director of the Institute

(1) There shall be a Director of the Institute (in this Act referred to as "the Director")
who shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister.

(2) Subject to the general control of the Council, the Director shall be the chief executive
of the Institute and shall be charged with general responsibility for matters relating
to the day-to-day management and operations of the Institute.

19. Registrar and other staff of the Institute

(1) The Council shall appoint a registrar to the Institute (in this Act referred to as "the
registrar") who shall be an officer but not a member of the Council and who shall keep
the records and conduct the correspondence of the Council and shall perform such other
duties as the Director or the Council may, from time to time, direct.

(2) The registrar shall, in addition to the other duties conferred on him by or under
this Act, act as the secretary to the Council and every committee thereof and in his absence,
the Councilor any of its committees may appoint some other person to act as secretary.

(3) The Council may appoint such other persons to be employees of the Council as
the Council may determine to assist the Director in the exercise of his functions under
this Act.

(4) The remuneration and tenure of office and conditions of service of the registrar
and other employees of the Council shall be determined by the Council in consultation
with the Federal Civil Service Commission.

6. Application of the Pensions Act, etc.

(1) The Federal Civil Service Commission may by order published in the Federal
Gazette declare the office of the Director or of any person employed by the Council to be
a pensionable office for the purposes of the Pensions Act.

[Cap. P4.

(2) Subject to the provisions of subsections (3) and (4) of this section, the Pensions
Act shall, in its application by virtue of subsection (l) of this section to any office, have
effect as if the office were in the public service of the Federation within the meaning of
the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

[Cap. C23.]

(3) For the purposes of the application of the provisions of the Pensions Act in accor-
dance with subsection (2) of this section-

       (a)        section 21 of that Act shall have effect as if for references to the Minister there
were substituted references to the Council; and

       (b)        the power under section 4 (2) of that Act shall be exercisable by the Council.

(4) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall prevent the appointment
of a person to any office on terms which preclude the grant of a pension or gratuity in
respect of service in that office.

7. Duties of the Council in relation to the Institute

(I) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Council shall be the governing body of
the Institute and shall have the general management of the affairs of the Institute, and in
particular, the general control of the Institute and power to do anything which in its
opinion is calculated to facilitate the carrying out of the objects of the Institute and to
promote its best interests.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection (I) of this section,
the Council shall have and exercise the following powers to-

       (a)              establish and maintain such schools, extra-mural departments and other
teaching units within the Institute as the Council may, from time to time, decide;

       (b)              provide such courses of instruction either alone or in association with such
universities and other institutions, whether in Nigeria or not, as the Council
may determine, and conduct examinations and award such diplomas and
certificates to those reaching a certain standard as a result of those examinations
as may seem appropriate to the Council;

       (c)        institute and award fellowships, medals, prizes and other titles;

       (d)        mount exhibitions and displays designed to foster an appreciation of trends in,
and the scope and requirements of education;

      (e)        erect, provide, equip and maintain such educational, recreational and residential
facilities as the Institute may require;

      (f)         create lectureships and other academic posts and offices and to make appointments thereto; and

     (g)       encourage and make provision for research in the Institute.

8. Power to accept gifts

(I) The Council may accept gifts of land, money or other property upon such trusts
and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the person making the gift.

(2) The Council shall not accept any gift if the conditions attached by the person
making the gift are inconsistent with the functions of the Council under this Act.

9. Offices and premises

(I) For the purpose of providing offices and premises necessary for the performance of its functions, the Council may-

       (a)       purchase or take on lease any land; and

       (b)        build, equip and maintain offices and premises.

(2) The Council may, with the approval of the Minister, sell or lease any land, offices
or premises held by it and no longer required for the performance of its functions.

10. Financial provisions

(I) The Council shall submit to the Minister not later than three months before the
end of the financial year an estimate of its revenue and expenditure for the next succeeding financial year.

(2) The Council shall establish and maintain a fund from which there shall be defrayed all
expenditure incurred by the Council.

(3) There shall be paid and credited to the fund established under subsection (2) of
this section-

       (a)       such sums as may, from time to time, be granted to the Council by the Federal
Government;

       (b)       all moneys raised for the purposes of the Council by way of gifts, grants-in-
aid, testamentary dispositions and sales of publications; and

      (c)        all subscriptions, fees and charges for services rendered by the Council and all
other sums that may accrue to the Council from any source.

11. Accounts and audit

The Council shall keep proper accounts of its receipts, payments, assets and liabilities
and shall in respect of each year cause the accounts to be audited by auditors approved, as
respects that year, by the Minister of Finance appointed from the list of auditors and in
accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor-General for the Federation.

12. Annual report

(I) The Council shall prepare and submit to the Minister not later than 30 June in
each year a report in such form as the Minister may direct on the activities of the Council
during the immediately preceding year, and shall include in the report a copy of the
audited accounts of the Council for that year and of the auditor's report on the accounts.

(2) The Minister shall cause a copy of the report made to him under this section to be
laid before the President so soon after the receipt thereof as may be convenient.

13. Establishment of certain bodies within the Institute

(I) There shall be established as an integral part of the Institute, the following bodies, that is-

       (a)       the School of General Studies;

       (b)       the School of Educational Innovation;

      (c)        the School of Advanced Studies;

      (d)        the Facilities Department;

      (e)        the Field Centres.

(2) The School of General Studies shall be charged with the duty of-

      (a)         providing courses of instruction leading to the development, upgrading and
certification of teachers as specified in the relevant syllabus and using distance
education and techniques;

      (b)         providing special courses, whether or not directed towards the Institute's certificates,
for all students at institutions controlled by the Institute and taking into account the educational
requirements of Nigeria;

      (c)        arranging educational conferences, seminars and workshops and other activities of a
similar nature as are relevant to its duties under this Act; and

      (d)        performing such other functions as the Council may, from time to time, direct.

(3) The School of Educational Innovation shall be charged with the duty of---

      (a)         conducting research in the field of education and co-ordinating the research
activities of the Institute;

      (b)         continuously evaluating apparatus, materials and methods and modes of
instruction at institutions controlled by, or in association with the Institute; and

      (c)         studying and adapting new methods and techniques of instruction to meet the
requirements of education in Nigeria.

(4) The School of Advanced Studies shall be charged with the duty of-

      (a)         conducting courses of instruction leading to the award of diplomas, certificates
and other qualifications as the Council may, from time to time, direct;

      (b)        conducting other courses, whether leading to the Institute's recognised certificates
or not, as the educational requirements in Nigeria may demand;

      (c)        arranging conferences, seminars and study groups as are relevant to its duties under this Act; and

     (d) performing other duties as the Council may, from time to time, direct.

(5)The Facilities Department shall be charged with the responsibility for-

      (a)        the procurement, development and distribution of all educational materials to
institutions controlled or associated with the Institute;

      (b) maintaining a register each in respect of teachers and students of the Institute;

      (c)         making available to all institutions controlled by or associated with the Institute
data collected or processed by the Department;

      (d)         making available data processing and production facilities as the institutions
controlled by or associated with the Institute may require.

(6) The Field Centres shall be charged with responsibility for-

      (a)          providing practical teaching services for students registered at any of the institutions
controlled by or associated with the Institute;

       (b)       providing educational facilities for students registered at any of the institutions
controlled or associated with the Institute;

      (c)        distributing equipment for practical teaching to students registered at any of
the institutions controlled or associated with the Institute; and

       (d)       providing liaison services between the Institute, local government administrative
organs and other bodies.

14. Discipline of students

(1) The Council may make rules providing for a proper person to conduct enquiries
into alleged breaches of discipline (including lack of diligence) by students; and such
rules may make different provisions for different circumstances.

(2) The rules shall provide for the procedure to be followed and the evidence to be
observed at enquiries under this section.

(3) The Council may, if it finds the allegations proved, impose on the student con-
cerned one or more of the following penalties, that is-

       (a)       expulsion from all or any of the institutions controlled by the Council;

       (b)       suspension for a specified period of his entitlement to use any of the facilities
controlled by the Council;

       (c)        a fine in an amount not exceeding NlOO, and shall send a report of the enquiry
to the Minister.

(4) Any student to whom any of the penalties provided for in subsection (3) of this
section is imposed may, at any time within 28 days from the date of imposition of such
penalty, appeal to the Minister.

(5) The decision of the Council shall have effect from the date of making of the decision
unless reversed by the Minister on an appeal.

15. Power of Minister to give directions to the Council

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Minister may give to the Council directions
of a general character or relating generally to matters of policy with regard to the exercise
by the Council of its functions under this Act and it shall be the duty of the Council to
comply with such directions.

16. Regulations

(1) The Minister may make regulations generally for the purposes of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the general power conferred by subsection (1) of this section, the regulations may-

       (a)        prescribe the procedure to be followed in respect of disciplinary actions against
any member of the staff;

      (b)        prescribe any other thing falling to be prescribed. 

17. Interpretation

"chairman" means the chairman of the Council;

"Council" means the National Teachers' Institute Council established by section 1 (2) of this Act;

"Director" means the Director of the Institute appointed under section 4 of this Act;

"function" includes powers and duties;

"Institute" means the National Teachers' Institute established by section I (I) of this
Act;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for matters relating to education.

18. Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Teachers' Institute Act.

SCHEDULE
[Section 2 (4).]

Supplementary provisions relating to the Council, etc.

Terms of service

1. (I) A member of the Council shall hold office for a term of three years and, subject to the
provisions of sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph, shall be eligible once again for reappointment.

     (2) The office of a member shall become vacant if-

                (a)     he resigns his office by notice in writing under his hand, addressed to the Minister; or

                (b)     the Minister is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Council for the person
appointed to continue in office and notifies the member in writing to that effect.

2. There may be paid to the members of the Council or any committee, not being members
who are public officers, such remuneration and allowances (if any) as may, from time to time,
be determined by the President.

3. Where a vacancy occurs in respect of the membership specified in section 2 (I) (g) of this
Act, it shall be filled by the appointment of a successor to hold office for the remainder of the
term of office of his predecessor in office, so however that the successor shall represent the
same interest as his predecessor and shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister.

4. The Council may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership or any defect in the
appointment of a member or the absence of a member.

Committees

5. (I) The Council may appoint one or more committees to advise it on the exercise and
performance of its functions under this Act.

      (2) The Council shall in particular appoint the following committees that is-

               (a) a Finance and General Purposes Committee;

(b) a Tenders Board;

(c) an Appointments and Promotions Committee;

(d) a Planning and Development Committee;

(e) a Professional and Academic Committee.

(3) Each committee or Board shall consist of a chairman appointed by the Council from
among its own members and such other members, whether or not members of the Council, as
the Council may determine.

(4) A person not being a member of the Council appointed to serve on any committee
under sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph, shall enjoy all the privileges of a member of the
Council except the right to vote or to count towards a quorum.

(5) The Council shall establish a committee to be known as the steering committee
which shall co-ordinate the functions of the other committees of the Council established under
this Act.

(6) The steering committee shall consist of the chairman of the Council, who shall be its
chairman, the Director and five other members elected by the Council from amongst it own
members.

(7) If the steering committee wishes to obtain the advice of any person on any point, it
may co-opt him as a member for such period as the Council may determine; but a person who
is a member of the Committee by virtue of this section shall not vote nor count towards a
quorum.

6. Every other committee appointed under paragraph 5 (I) of this Schedule shall consist of-

              (a) a chairman who shall be appointed by the Council from among the members of
the Council; and

                (b)    subject to paragraph 5 (4) of this Schedule, not more than five other members
(who mayor may not be members of the Council).

7. (I) In this Schedule, unless the context otherwise requires, "chairman" means the chairman of a committee.

(2) Unless specifically empowered by the Council, the decision of any committee or
board appointed under this Schedule shall be of no effect until it is so confirmed by the Council.

8. (I) The Council shall meet for the conduct of business at such times, places and on such
days as the chairman may appoint but shall meet not less than once in every four months.

(2) The chairman may at any time and shall, at the request in writing of not less than six
members, convene a meeting of the Council.

(3) At any meeting of the Council the chairman shall preside; but in his absence, members
present shall elect one of their number to preside at the meeting.

(4) Where the Council desires to obtain the advice of any person on any particular matter,
the Council may co-opt persons who are not members of the Council but the person co-opted
shall not be entitled to vote at a meeting of the Council.