Federal Colleges Begin Dual Mandate of Degree, NCE Awards September — FG

The Federal Government has announced that all Federal Colleges of Education will begin awarding both Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degrees concurrently starting from the 2025/2026 academic session. This dual mandate, approved under the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023 signed by President Bola Tinubu, is aimed at revitalizing teacher education, addressing the critical issue of dwindling student enrolment, and improving access to professional teaching qualifications.

Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, who disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, warned that the survival of Colleges of Education in Nigeria is at risk, citing that fewer than 1,000 students applied to these institutions in 2024 out of the over two million who registered for JAMB. He emphasized that unless colleges embrace this new dual-mandate structure, they may become obsolete. The minister highlighted that implementing the new model will also curb the recent trend of converting Colleges of Education into Universities, a practice the government views as detrimental to the focus and integrity of teacher training institutions.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has already developed implementation guidelines, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has advertised the new admission process. Minister Alausa described the dual mandate as a game-changer that would restore the relevance of Colleges of Education and ensure that Nigeria produces qualified, professional educators to meet growing national needs. He further stressed the need for modernizing the curriculum to include digital tools, artificial intelligence, and innovative teaching methods.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said, noted that allowing the colleges to award their own degrees—not through affiliations—would boost their autonomy and prestige. In support, President of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Dr. Smart Olugbeko, commended the move but proposed a consolidated five-year programme rather than the suggested six-year split. He expressed confidence that the dual model would strengthen the identity of teacher education institutions and preserve their core mission.