“With this dual mandate, there is no need for conversion to university status.”
The Federal Government has announced that colleges of education (COEs) will commence awarding both Bachelor’s degrees and National Certificate in Education (NCE) from September 2025. Education Minister Tunji Alausa disclosed this in Abuja, delaying the originally planned 2024 start date to allow proper preparation. The policy, signed into law in 2023, aims to boost enrolment and prevent COE conversions to universities, with only federal institutions over 10 years old participating initially.
Alausa emphasized modernizing teacher education, urging COEs to integrate technology and critical thinking into curricula. “The way we taught 30 or 50 years ago is no longer relevant,” he stated, challenging educators to adopt innovative teaching methods. The reform seeks to address Nigeria’s learning poverty and out-of-school children crisis while restoring education standards.
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