By Muhammad Muntazar
The Federal Government has officially launched the implementation phase of a pioneering reform, empowering Colleges of Education nationwide to autonomously offer both National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes. This development marks a significant change in Nigeria’s educational landscape.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa at the National Summit held in Abuja on 19th August, 2025.
The Minister, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad, hailed the initiative as “a historic milestone in Nigeria’s educational development,” emphasizing that “for the first time in our history, our Colleges of Education have been legally empowered to run NCE and degree programmes concurrently in teacher education disciplines.”
According to the Minister, the reform is backed by the Federal Colleges of Education (Establishment) Act No. 43 of 2023, and it builds upon the institutions’ decades-long experience and competence.
“The dual-mandate system now grants them full legislative and operational authority to expand their academic offerings while preserving their core mission of producing highly skilled and professional teachers,” she explained.
Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), described the reform as “historic,” highlighting its potential to revitalise teacher education and expand access for student-teachers.
“Today, with full legislative backing, Colleges of Education now have the autonomy to offer degrees directly, leveraging their own manpower, infrastructure, and academic expertise.”
The benefits of the dual mandate, as outlined by Prof. Okwelle, include the production of graduates with both NCE and B.Ed qualifications, a steady supply of qualified teachers, and the retention of skilled educators within the system.
Hon. Adamu Tanko, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Colleges of Education, assured stakeholders that “the value of the degree awarded by the Colleges of Education will be equivalent to those conferred by conventional universities across the country.”
The Ministry of Education has pledged continued support through policy guidelines, technical assistance, and resource mobilisation to ensure successful implementation. This revolutionary reform breaks away from the traditional restriction of Colleges of Education to offering only NCE programmes, and paves the way for a new era in teacher education in Nigeria.