By Kelen Okechukwu, JKNewsMedia Reporter
TEACHER EDUCATION in Nigeria is set for a major transformation as Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs) begin awarding bachelor’s degrees alongside the National Certificate in Education (NCE) from September 2025.
This shift follows the 2023 passage of the Dual Mandate Act, allowing FCOEs to offer both qualifications while preserving their specialised role in professional teacher training.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Education, Tunji Alausa, during a strategic meeting with staff unions and management in Abuja.
Alausa explained that only federal colleges with at least ten years of establishment will participate in the first phase of the dual-mode programme.
He stated the reform aims to boost student enrolment, strengthen teacher education, and relieve colleges of the pressure to convert into universities.
Under the new guidelines, only candidates holding the National Certificate in Education will be eligible for the new degree programmes. Additionally, existing affiliations with universities for awarding degrees will be gradually phased out to consolidate the independent status of these institutions.
Alausa called on educators to embrace technology and innovative teaching strategies to align with global educational standards. He warned that the rising number of out-of-school children made the need for rapid transformation even more urgent.
He further stressed that the future relevance of colleges of education hinges on their readiness to adapt to the new structure, urging staff and administrators to fully support the policy. Institutions that resist change, he cautioned, could risk losing their relevance.
The Ministry of Education is working closely with the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure a smooth implementation of the dual mandate across eligible colleges.
By introducing this reform, the government intends to modernise Nigeria’s teacher education system, provide alternative pathways to earning bachelor’s degrees, and strengthen the colleges’ role as the backbone of national education development.
