Federal Colleges of Education to Award NCE and Bachelor’s Degree
The new law, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, authorizes FCOEs to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education simultaneously.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy across all Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs), following the enactment of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023.
The new law, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, authorizes FCOEs to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education simultaneously. This move marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to reform teacher education and boost the quality of classroom instruction nationwide.
Announcing the policy rollout in Abuja, the Minister of Education described the initiative as a bold and transformative step in teacher preparation. The minister said the policy enables FCOEs to offer dual qualifications and meet the evolving demands of the education sector.
According to the Act, only FCOEs that meet the National Universities Commission (NUC) standards are eligible to operate under the Dual Mandate. However, all institutions, regardless of when they were established, may participate once they meet the required criteria.
The minister noted that the new policy enhances access to higher education by providing an alternative path to earn Education degrees outside the traditional university system. It also aims to reduce declining enrolment, maintain the relevance of teacher training institutions, and eliminate the need for university affiliations in issuing degrees.
Additionally, the policy grants FCOEs greater autonomy in curriculum development and implementation, allowing them to respond more swiftly to emerging trends in education.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector, the minister stated, “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.”
The policy was announced in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
