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Colleges of Education (COEs) in Nigeria will soon operate under a dual mandate, enabling them to award both bachelor’s degrees and the National Certificate in Education (NCE), starting from September 2025.
The announcement was made by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on April 22 during a follow-up meeting in Abuja on resolutions from the last stakeholders’ conference.
Originally signed into law in 2023, the dual mandate was set to begin in the 2024/2025 academic session. However, its implementation has now been postponed to the 2025/2026 session. Only federal COEs that are at least 10 years old will be eligible to pilot the program.
Dr. Alausa explained that this move will help increase enrolment in COEs and remove the pressure to convert them into universities. He emphasized the need for reforms within COEs to meet the demands of modern education and technology.
“We had a strong education system once, and we’re working to rebuild it,” he said. “To do that, we need to address the high number of out-of-school children and improve learning outcomes. Teachers are central to this mission and must also evolve.”
He encouraged educators to embrace new teaching methods, integrate technology, and focus on critical thinking and computational skills in their curricula.
Alausa also addressed the issue of low enrolment in COEs, urging staff and administrators to support the reforms, warning that their survival depends on it.
“With this dual mandate, there’s no need to convert to university status,” he said. “The future of COEs is secured by the government, but sustaining them depends on your willingness to adapt.”