In a bold move that promises to transform teacher education and expand higher education access across Nigeria, the Federal Government has officially green-lit 15 Federal Colleges of Education to independently offer degree programmes alongside the traditional Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). This landmark policy shift ushers in a new era of academic opportunity, institutional autonomy, and qualification recognition for aspiring educators.
This development represents a major milestone in national education reform and has far-reaching implications for students, academic staff, and the workforce at large.
A New Dual Mandate for Colleges of Education
Under the newly implemented policy, the Federal Colleges of Education will operate a dual certification system, awarding not only the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) but also Bachelor’s Degrees in Education. The move marks a significant departure from the previous requirement that colleges affiliate with universities to confer degrees — a practice that limited their autonomy and constrained institutional growth.
The policy stems from the Federal Colleges of Education (Establishment) Act, 2023, which legally empowers eligible colleges to award both qualifications concurrently. This legislative change was signed into law as part of wider efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s teacher education sector and broaden access to degree-level higher education.
Why This Matters: Education Access and Quality
For decades, Colleges of Education have trained teachers for Nigeria’s basic and secondary schools. However, their academic offerings were traditionally limited to the NCE, with degree programmes often delivered through university affiliations — a model that imposed extra costs, administrative burdens and structural barriers.
The new dual mandate is intended to:
- Expand access to higher education by creating more local degree options for students aspiring to become qualified teachers.
- Revitalise teacher training by integrating rigorous bachelor’s curricula with existing NCE frameworks.
- Empower institutions to operate independently, reducing reliance on external university affiliations.
- Enhance institutional autonomy and competitiveness in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
Education experts and advocacy groups view this shift as a transformational step toward raising the quality and relevance of teacher education nationwide.
Implementation & Oversight: What’s Next?
The colleges approved for degree programmes are now working closely with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure their academic standards, facilities, staffing levels, and curricula meet regulatory requirements for bachelor’s degrees.
This preparatory phase involves rigorous quality assurance, resource verification evaluations, and curriculum alignment with national benchmarks. Upon satisfying these conditions, the colleges will launch degree courses that carry the same statutory recognition as degrees awarded by universities — a watershed moment in Nigeria’s education reforms.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has also updated its admissions framework to reflect the new dual-mode programmes, with enrolment expected to begin for the 2025–2026 academic session.
Benefits for Students, Educators & the Nation
Enhanced Career Prospects
Students enrolling in the dual mandate system will graduate with industry-recognised bachelor’s degrees, significantly improving their employability and ability to compete for teaching and education-related roles nationwide.
Strengthened Teacher Pipeline
By producing more degree-certified educators, the policy aims to stem the chronic shortage of qualified teachers in Nigerian schools and uplift classroom standards across all regions.
Institutional Growth & Recognition
The degree-offering colleges can now attract higher calibre students and faculty talent, potentially stimulating research, curriculum innovation, and academic investment — factors that contribute to institutional prestige and impact.
Challenges and Expectations
While the policy is widely welcomed, successful implementation will require sustained investment, careful monitoring, and robust partnerships between the Federal Government, regulators, and the colleges themselves. Ensuring that academic quality keeps pace with expansion will be crucial to maintaining the credibility of degree awards and protecting student interests.
Stakeholders emphasise that the rollout must be executed transparently, with clear performance benchmarks and support systems to help each college meet national academic standards.
