FG Authorizes Colleges of Education to Award NCE, Bachelor’s Degrees
The federal government has authorized Federal Colleges of Education to simultaneously issue both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education, representing a major advancement in the reform of teacher training in Nigeria.
Folasade Boriowo, the press director at the Federal Ministry of Education, revealed this in a press release issued on Friday, stating that the federal government has officially begun executing the dual mandate policy in all Federal Colleges of Education, in line with the provisions of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023.
The press statement added that this new law, which was signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, enables Federal Colleges of Education to simultaneously award the Nigeria Certificate in Education and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education, symbolizing a key step forward in reforming teacher education in the country.
Speaking during the official announcement of the policy in Abuja, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa described the launch of the policy as a courageous and forward-thinking decision.
“The dual mandate policy represents not just a reform but a revolution in teacher preparation, enabling the Federal Colleges of Education to offer both NCE and bachelor’s degrees.
“This initiative empowers institutions, broadens access, and enhances the quality of classroom instruction across Nigeria,” he said.
As detailed in the Act, every Federal College of Education that satisfies the standards set by the National Universities Commission now qualifies to function under the dual mandate arrangement.
This comprehensive policy guarantees that any institution, regardless of how long ago it was founded, may be included in the program as long as it fulfills the necessary conditions.
Highlighting the significance of the new policy, Alausa stated that providing bachelor’s degrees through the Federal Colleges of Education will better equip teachers with the advanced skills required for modern educational needs.
Additionally, he mentioned that this development would widen the scope of access to higher education by creating an alternative pathway to obtain degrees in education without going through the usual university route.
He pointed out that the dual mandate offers solutions to several issues at once, such as addressing low student numbers, maintaining the relevance of the institutions, and eliminating the need for Federal Colleges of Education to depend on universities for degree accreditation.
The minister also emphasized that this reform allows Federal Colleges of Education more control over the creation and delivery of their academic programs, letting them adapt faster to the changing needs and developments in the teaching field.
“No nation can rise above the quality of its teachers. This policy strengthens the foundation of our education system, ensuring that every teacher is trained, qualified, and prepared,” he said, affirming the administration’s dedication to improving education.
