In a major development for Nigeria’s education sector, the Federal Government has announced that colleges of education will begin awarding bachelor’s degrees alongside NCE certificates starting September 2025. The policy is part of a dual mandate approved in 2023, aimed at revitalizing the nation’s teacher training institutions.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement in Abuja during a follow-up session on outcomes from the recent biannual stakeholders’ meeting. He explained that although the dual mandate was initially scheduled for the 2024/2025 academic year, its full implementation has been rescheduled to commence in September 2025.
The dual mandate allows colleges of education to award degrees in addition to their traditional National Certificate in Education (NCE), beginning with federal institutions that have been in operation for at least ten years. Alausa emphasized that this move will increase student enrolment and eliminate the need to convert colleges of education into universities.
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“We once had a strong educational system, and that’s what we are working hard to restore,” he said. “All hands are on deck to achieve this. We must tackle the high number of out-of-school children and reduce learning poverty across the country.”
Alausa also stressed the importance of integrating technology, critical thinking, and computational skills into teaching curricula. He urged educators to embrace modern tools such as artificial intelligence and educational technology to enhance the learning experience.
“The way we taught 30 or 50 years ago is no longer relevant,” he said. “Education and teaching methods are evolving. You must start thinking about how to use technology in the classroom.”
Addressing concerns about declining enrolment in colleges of education, Alausa called on school administrators and teaching staff to actively support the reforms. He warned that failure to adapt could threaten the existence of their institutions.
“With this dual mandate, there is no need for conversion to university status,” he reiterated. “You should be the ones pushing for implementation. The government has secured the future of colleges of education. It is now up to you to sustain them.”
The federal government sees this shift as a sustainable way to boost the relevance and appeal of colleges of education offering degrees, positioning them as modern institutions ready to meet the nation’s growing educational needs.
