FG Approves Bachelor's Degrees for Federal Colleges of Education

 

In a landmark move aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s teacher education landscape, the Federal Government has officially rolled out the Dual Mandate Policy across all Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs) nationwide. This bold reform follows the signing of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signaling a transformative step in teacher preparation and professional development.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a strategic briefing in Abuja. The Dual Mandate Policy grants FCOEs the authority to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education, provided they meet the accreditation standards of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“This isn’t just a reform, it’s a revolution,” Dr. Alausa declared. “We’re empowering our teacher training institutions to produce highly qualified educators who can meet the demands of a modern classroom.”

According to the minister, the new framework broadens academic opportunities for aspiring educators, improves access to higher qualifications, and directly supports national goals of quality and inclusive education. He stressed that the implementation would begin in September 2025, aligning with the next academic session.

The Federal Colleges of Education Act ensures that all eligible institutions, regardless of when they were established, can benefit from this upgrade, provided they meet the required benchmarks. This shift is expected to elevate the status of teaching in Nigeria and attract more young professionals into the field.

“The narrative around teaching must change,” Dr. Alausa emphasized. “It is a noble profession, and without teachers, there would be no doctors, engineers, or presidents. We must begin to treat educators as the essential nation-builders they are.”

In line with this transformation, the Education Ministry has also begun engaging stakeholders, including staff unions and FCOE management, to ensure a smooth rollout of the policy. The hope is to not only raise educational standards but to also restore dignity and prestige to the teaching profession.