The Federal Government has warned Colleges of Education across Nigeria against offering substandard degree programmes, stressing that institutions must meet academic and infrastructural requirements before introducing or expanding their courses.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during a national retreat and workshop focused on implementing the Dual Mandate policy and the strategic development plan for Colleges of Education.
The event also featured the unveiling of a new Dual Mandate Curriculum and the National Commission for Colleges of Education’s (NCCE) Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2031.
According to the minister, the success of the policy should not be measured simply by the number of institutions introducing bachelor’s degree programmes. Instead, colleges must demonstrate that they have the academic staff, teaching resources, governance structures and quality assurance systems required to deliver credible qualifications.
Her position highlights a critical concern for Nigeria’s education sector: expanding access to higher education must not come at the expense of the quality of learning and the competence of graduates.
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Dual Mandate Policy Requires Institutional Readiness
The Dual Mandate policy allows eligible Colleges of Education to continue offering the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) while introducing approved bachelor’s degree programmes in education, subject to regulatory requirements.
The arrangement is intended to widen access to university-level education while strengthening the preparation of future teachers. However, the Federal Government maintains that institutions must establish their capacity to handle the additional academic responsibilities before proceeding.
Ahmad urged college administrators to avoid treating the policy as an opportunity to increase the number of qualifications they award without making the necessary investments in teaching and learning.
She explained that institutions must provide appropriate facilities, qualified lecturers, effective supervision and modern instructional resources. She also emphasised the need for continuous professional development to ensure that lecturers remain equipped to meet changing educational demands.
The new curriculum is expected to provide minimum academic standards for degree programmes under the policy. It covers teaching, student assessment, subject knowledge, pedagogical competence and practical teaching skills.
The NCCE Executive Secretary, Dr Angela Ajala, said the curriculum was developed through consultations involving academics, curriculum specialists, professional bodies and regulatory agencies.
She added that it incorporates digital competencies, inclusive education, innovative teaching methods, entrepreneurship and practical skills to prepare future teachers for the demands of modern classrooms.
NCCE Pushes for Accountability and Implementation
Ajala said the retreat was designed to move teacher education beyond policy announcements towards practical implementation, institutional accountability and measurable improvements.
She stressed that a curriculum alone cannot transform education without adequately prepared lecturers, functional facilities, effective leadership and sustainable funding.
The NCCE chief also urged provosts and academic managers to assess their institutions honestly, identify gaps and develop realistic plans for meeting the requirements of the Dual Mandate policy.
According to her, the commission intends to provide regulatory guidance, technical assistance and coordination to support institutions implementing the reforms.
The NCCE’s 2026 to 2031 strategic plan is expected to guide improvements in regulation, institutional development, quality assurance and innovation across the Colleges of Education system.
Ahmad also called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, the NCCE, the National Universities Commission and college managements. Such cooperation, she said, would help ensure consistent implementation and reduce unnecessary duplication of regulatory responsibilities.
For students and parents, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on whether the policy translates into better teaching, stronger academic support and qualifications that meet recognised standards.
Back Story: Nigeria Tightens Tertiary Education Standards
The latest warning comes amid broader efforts by the Federal Government to address concerns about academic quality, illegal admissions and weak accreditation practices across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
In September 2026, Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa announced plans to strengthen accreditation and quality assurance, including measures to prevent institutions from presenting borrowed lecturers, laboratories and equipment during inspections.
According to a report by The Guardian on illegal admissions, the government accused universities and Colleges of Education of admitting more than 258,000 students outside approved regulatory frameworks.
The concerns have increased pressure on education authorities to ensure that institutions have the resources and approvals needed to provide the programmes they advertise.
The Dual Mandate policy presents an opportunity to improve teacher education, but its success will depend on how effectively colleges meet academic standards and maintain them over time.
As Nigeria seeks to improve learning outcomes, the government’s message is clear: expanding degree opportunities must go hand in hand with quality, accountability and adequate institutional capacity.
The full impact of the reforms will ultimately be judged by the quality of teachers graduating from the system and their ability to prepare the next generation of Nigerian students.
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