The Federal Government has approved the implementation of a new Dual Mandate Policy that will allow Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs) to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education.
This shift follows the enactment of new legislation aimed at reforming the structure and scope of teacher training institutions in the country.
Announcing the policy rollout, the Minister of Education described it as a transformative initiative designed to elevate the standards of teacher preparation across Nigeria. The Dual Mandate Policy is expected to increase access to higher education, enhance the quality of classroom instruction, and address the long-standing decline in enrollment at colleges of education.
Under this policy, all FCOEs that meet the academic and infrastructural requirements set by education regulators will be eligible to operate as degree-awarding institutions. This move eliminates the need for colleges to rely on university affiliations to grant degrees and gives them more autonomy in designing and implementing curricula.
The policy also aims to better equip educators with advanced competencies, enabling them to meet the evolving demands of the education sector. By offering Education degrees within colleges of education, the initiative opens a new pathway for students seeking professional qualifications outside the traditional university system.
The Ministry of Education is working in collaboration with key agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the policy. Plans are already in motion for the program to commence with the 2025/2026 academic year.
This development marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s educational advancement and reinforces the government’s commitment to building a highly qualified and professionally trained teaching workforce.
