FG launches dual mandate policy allowing federal colleges of education to award NCE and B.Sc
The Nigerian federal government has officially commenced the implementation of a dual mandate policy across all Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs) in the country.
This new policy allows FCOEs to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degrees in education, signaling a major development in the nation’s educational framework.
The rollout follows the enactment of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, which was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Education described the launch of the dual mandate as a “significant milestone” in the ongoing reform of Nigeria’s teacher education system.
FCOEs that meet the National Universities Commission (NUC) standards are now eligible to operate under the dual mandate, regardless of how long they have been in existence.
Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, announced that the policy implementation is both “bold and progressive,” emphasizing that it represents a “revolution in teacher preparation.”
“This policy strengthens the foundation of our education system—ensuring that every teacher is trained, qualified, and prepared,” Alausa stated.
The dual mandate aims to tackle issues such as declining enrollment in colleges of education, reduce reliance on universities for degree affiliations, and elevate the quality of teaching by producing more qualified educators.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education indicated that the policy grants colleges greater autonomy to develop and implement curricula that respond to contemporary trends and needs in the teaching profession. In April, Alausa revealed plans for colleges to begin offering degrees under this dual mandate starting in September 2025.
The government expressed hope that this initiative will restore public confidence in teacher education, enhance access to higher education, and ensure that institutions adapt to modern demands in education delivery.
Source: TheCable
