The Federal Government has announced that colleges of education across Nigeria will begin awarding bachelor’s degrees alongside the National Certificate in Education (NCE) starting from September 2025.
This new development follows a law passed in 2023, which introduced a dual mandate for these institutions.
The decision was revealed during a meeting in Abuja by the Minister of State for Education, Tunji Alausa.
The minister explained that the law, which was initially set to be implemented in 2024, will now take effect a year later.
Only federal colleges of education that have existed for at least ten years will be involved in the first phase of the programme.
According to the minister, this change is expected to increase student enrollment in colleges of education and remove the pressure on them to convert into universities.
He noted that rather than seeking university status, these institutions can now award degrees while still fulfilling their role in training professional teachers.
The government said that this reform is necessary to update the country’s teacher education system and make it more relevant to today’s needs.
Educators have been urged to include technology and modern teaching strategies in their classrooms to match global trends.
Alausa stressed the need for teachers and school administrators to adjust quickly to the new model, especially as the number of children out of school remains a major concern.
He pointed out that the future of colleges of education depends on how well they respond to this change.
The minister also called on staff of these institutions to support the initiative, adding that refusal to adapt could put their existence at risk.
With this new law, colleges of education can remain focused on teacher training without losing their identity or being forced to change their structure.
