After five sterling years at the helm, pioneer Director-General of the Cross River State Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI), Biase, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, is set to step down this weekend following the completion of his tenure.
Professor Adedoja who was appointed in 2021, leaves behind a legacy of sweeping educational reforms, having elevated the institute into a nationally recognized center for teacher professional development and digital literacy.
During his five-year tenure, the TCTI spearheaded the retraining of over 7,000 teachers in science, vocational education, digital literacy and emerging skills across primary and secondary schools in Cross River State.
Under his leadership, the institute also prioritized inclusive education by establishing specialized professional development programs tailored for youth and persons with disabilities, such as the blind, visually impaired, deaf and wheelchair users.
Adedoja, a seasoned educationist, former World Bank Consultant, former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, leveraged his extensive network to attract major partnerships to the state.
Notably, under his stewardship, the institute secured licensing from CERTIPORT, making TCTI one of Nigeria’s premier centers for digital literacy and global employability certification. He also laid the groundwork for a major partnership between TCTI and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to train millions of Nigerian youth in productive skills, an initiative slated to begin soon.
Paying a valedictory courtesy visit on Monday to the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, the outgoing DG was warmly commended on behalf of the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu.
During the visit, Senator Odey lauded Professor Adedoja for his total passion, resilience and dedicated service to the state. He noted that despite Adedoja’s distinguished national career, having previously served as a federal cabinet minister, provost, two-time governing board chairman of higher institutions and former Oyo SUBEB Chairman, he committed fully to laying a world-class foundation for TCTI.
Reflecting on his tenure, Professor Adedoja expressed gratitude to Governor Bassey Otu for his continuous support over the years. He also commended the former Governor, Professor Ben Ayade for his foresight in establishing the TCTI to drive teacher retraining across the state.
He extended his appreciation to the outgoing TCTI Registrar, Mrs. Mary Odumusor, the Bursar, Dr. Margaret Odey, both of whom are also completing their terms, as well as the institute’s management staff for their support throughout his five-year term.
