The Federal Government has officially granted approval for Colleges of Education in Nigeria to begin awarding Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees alongside the traditional National Certificate in Education (NCE).
Naturenex reports that this development was made public by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on Thursday during a strategic meeting with management teams and staff unions from the Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs).
Alausa explained that the move followed the amendment of the Colleges of Education Act, which received the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This legislative change paves the way for these institutions to issue both NCE and Bachelor’s Degree certificates.
He stated, “As part of our objective to enhance teacher training and improve education as a whole, we are moving forward with the revised Act governing our FCOEs. This Act, approved by Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, now permits the colleges to award both the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.”
Highlighting the importance of education in national growth, the Minister quoted President Tinubu: “As Mr. President says, ‘The youth are the heartbeat of our great nation’. The heart is the most critical organ in the human body, and for it to function at its highest capacity, our students must be well educated and effectively taught.”
Alausa further stressed the need for the country’s teaching methods to evolve, noting that traditional approaches are no longer suitable for today’s world. “The way we educate our students must evolve. The old methods are no longer effective in today’s society. We must adapt to meet international standards if we are to succeed.”
He also underscored the crucial role of teachers in nation-building, advocating for greater recognition and respect for the teaching profession. “The narrative around becoming a teacher—and the teaching profession more broadly—must also change. There must be mutual respect among teachers, students, academics, and parents. Teaching is a valuable profession; without teachers and educators, societies would not be what they are today. They are integral to nation-building and the transformation of this great country,” he remarked.
In conclusion, the Minister assured that the Ministry of Education is in active discussions with key education agencies to guarantee the seamless rollout of the policy. “The Ministry is committed to ensuring that the Dual Mandate takes effect by the upcoming academic year, starting in September 2025. We are actively engaging with the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure that each body fulfills its role in implementing the Dual Mandate provision,” he affirmed.
