In a major reform of Nigeria’s teacher training system, the Federal Government has authorised all Federal Colleges of Education to begin awarding Bachelor’s Degrees in Education in addition to the existing Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).
The move follows the signing of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which gives legal effect to the Dual Mandate Policy—a framework that allows colleges to operate as degree-awarding institutions.
Speaking in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the decision as a transformative step aimed at enhancing the quality, accessibility, and global competitiveness of teacher education in Nigeria.
“This is more than an upgrade. It is a complete shift in how we train teachers. We are raising the bar and widening access,” Dr. Alausa said.
Under the new policy, Federal Colleges of Education can offer degree programmes once they meet the National Universities Commission (NUC) requirements. The Ministry of Education says the approach is both open and adaptable, allowing institutions to gradually transition into dual-mode operations.
Education experts say the reform brings Nigeria closer to international standards, while helping to build a more skilled and professional teaching workforce.
