The National Commission for Colleges of Education has announced that the full implementation of the Federal Government’s Dual Mandate Policy for Colleges of Education will commence in the 2026/2027 academic session, marking a major shift in Nigeria’s teacher education system.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Angela Ajala, disclosed this during a media interactive session themed “A New Dawn for Teacher Education in Nigeria.”
Under the new policy, qualified Federal Colleges of Education will be empowered to independently award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education without affiliation to universities.
Ajala described the initiative as one of the most significant reforms in the history of teacher education in Nigeria, noting that the policy would transform the perception and status of Colleges of Education across the country.
According to her, the reform is backed by the Federal Colleges of Education Act No. 132 of July 24, 2023, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
She explained that the Federal Ministry of Education had already directed that full implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy should begin with the 2026/2027 academic session.
Under the framework, the NCE programme will run for three years, while the degree programme will span an additional two years for qualified candidates transitioning from the NCE level.
Ajala revealed that the commission had already developed a transition curriculum designed to ensure seamless movement from NCE programmes into degree programmes.
She added that the NCCE is currently collaborating with the National Universities Commission to finalise implementation modalities and ensure that degrees awarded by Colleges of Education meet university standards.
“The Dual Mandate represents the most significant structural reform in Nigerian teacher education in decades,” Ajala stated, adding that Colleges of Education should no longer be viewed as inferior alternatives to universities.
According to her, the policy is expected to expand access to higher education, reduce pressure on universities, strengthen teacher specialisation, improve institutional autonomy, and attract more qualified candidates into the teaching profession.
She stressed that the reform was not designed to weaken the traditional identity of Colleges of Education but rather to reinforce their role as specialised institutions for teacher preparation and national development.
Ajala also disclosed that the commission is shifting from a strictly compliance-based regulatory approach to one that focuses more on actual learning outcomes and classroom effectiveness.
Expressing concern over declining learning standards and the shortage of qualified teachers, she said the revised teacher education curriculum would place greater emphasis on digital literacy, artificial intelligence awareness, entrepreneurship, competency-based learning, inclusive education, and emotional intelligence.
“The child has changed. The classroom has changed. Technology has changed. The economy has changed. Therefore, teacher preparation must change,” she said.
She further noted that the commission is reviewing admission processes into Colleges of Education to eliminate unnecessary barriers while maintaining professional standards and academic quality.
Ajala called on the media to support ongoing reforms by helping to restore dignity and public confidence in the teaching profession, which she said has long suffered from negative societal perceptions.
According to her, the future of Nigeria depends largely on the quality of teachers preparing students in classrooms today, making teacher education one of the country’s most important national priorities.
