This paper is designed to examine the issues and challenges of teaching profession in Nigeria. The paper Defines teaching, Outline the Characteristics of Teaching, define a profession, enumerates the characteristics of a profession, states UNESCO/ILO positions on the status of teachers, examine the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria roles in the development of teaching profession in Nigeria, assess the Provisions of National Policy on Education for Professionalisation of Teaching. The paper also examines the Professional Status of Teaching in Nigeria and identifies factors militating against the teaching profession in Nigeria. The teaching profession in Nigeria is currently at a crossroads between systemic collapse and potential rebirth. While the challenges of funding, infrastructure, and social status are daunting, they are not insurmountable. By prioritizing teacher welfare, enforcing strict professional standards, and ensuring consistent policy implementation, Nigeria can transform its education sector. A motivated, well-trained, and highly respected teaching force is the only vehicle through which Nigeria can achieve sustainable national development and compete in the global knowledge economy. The “way forward” is not merely a matter of educational policy, but a matter of national survival. To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach involving the government, private sector, and professional bodies is required: Enhanced Salary and Incentive Packages and Infrastructure Overhaul.