In a significant shake-up of teacher training, the Federal Government has officially unveiled a Dual‑Degree Scheme enabling 15 federal Colleges of Education to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s degrees beginning with the 2025–26 academic session. This reform marks a pivotal move to strengthen the quality, reach, and relevance of teacher education in Nigeria.
A Landmark Shift: Dual Mandate Comes to Life
President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval of the amended Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023 empowers designated Colleges of Education to now grant both NCE and Bachelor’s degrees in Education. At a sensitisation workshop held in Abuja, Permanent Secretary Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan—represented by Director of Educational Planning, Julie Uzor—announced that the implementing institutions have already begun collaborating closely with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to meet strict accreditation criteria.
“This policy allows Colleges of Education to concurrently award the NCE and Bachelor’s degrees in Education. As outlined in the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, this dual mode enhances access, improves quality, and modernises teacher training,” Enitan emphasised.
Why This Matters: Solving Core Education Challenges
The initiative directly tackles several longstanding issues:
- Boosting enrolment: Teacher education institutions have endured declining interest. By offering both NCE and degree tracks, the scheme aims to draw more applicants at one entry point.
- Strengthening teacher quality: Bachelor’s degree programmes include richer pedagogical and subject-matter content. Federal Commission for Colleges of Education Executive Secretary Prof. Paulinus Okwelle highlighted, “With proper pedagogical and content training, our teachers will be better equipped to manage modern classroom challenges.”
- Modernising the system: The Act grants colleges greater autonomy to develop updated curricula and adapt quickly to technological and societal changes in education.
National Coverage with Quality Controls
While the reform initially targets 15 federal colleges, plans are underway to expand the scheme across more institutions in phases as they meet accreditation benchmarks. Admission under the dual-path model will begin in September 2025, aligned with recent JAMB adverts.
The NCCE has stated that rigorous monitoring and evaluation will accompany the rollout to ensure that programme integrity and teaching standards are upheld. In parallel, a comprehensive national review of NCE minimum standards is underway to keep training relevant and consistent across institutions.
Empowered Educators, Enhanced Institutions
Beyond students, the government intends for this reform to uplift academic staff and bolster institutional capabilities. The federal authorities are reportedly working with college administrations to improve lecturers’ welfare, strengthen motivation, and support curriculum development under the guidance of the Education Minister Tinju Alausa.
Dr. Uche Uba, Director of Colleges of Education at the Federal Ministry, emphasised the practical readiness of institutions. She noted that “a clear implementation guideline is in place. The colleges are liaising with the NUC, and all are following the set conditions to make the process seamless.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next
With admissions opening for the 2025–26 session, the coming months are set to be transformative:
- First student cohort in place: Incoming students will have the opportunity to enrol simultaneously for NCE and Bachelor’s degrees, shaping the future teacher workforce.
- Ongoing oversight: The NCCE and NUC will conduct periodic reviews to ensure academic standards are met, resulting in potential expansion to more colleges.
- System-wide impact: Successful execution could help reshape Nigerian teacher training, reducing reliance on universities and making degree-level qualifications more widely accessible across states.
Voices from the Sector
Prof. Paulinus Okwelle said, “The dual mode is at the implementation stage… Students will now be admitted for both NCE and bachelor’s degree programmes.”
Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, on discussing the broader policy back in April, characterised the change as a “revolution in teacher preparation,” highlighting the importance of adapting curricula to integrate technology, critical thinking, and AI, signalling that teacher training goes beyond mere legislation.
Conclusion:
The New Dual‑Degree Scheme for Education Colleges is a forward‑looking and transformative policy aimed at equipping Nigerian teachers with stronger academic credentials and modern pedagogical tools. It integrates comprehensive student outreach, rigorous standards, and improved institutional capacity. If properly executed, this dual-path framework could redefine the landscape of teacher education, ensuring that Nigeria’s classrooms are led by well-qualified professionals capable of navigating the challenges of contemporary schooling.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
READ THE LATEST EDUCATION NEWS
