Tunji Alausa, the newly appointed minister of education.
The federal government says it has commenced the implementation of the dual mandate policy across all federal colleges of education (FCOEs) in the country.
The policy allows FCOEs to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degrees in education.
The initiative follows the enactment of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry of education said the rollout of the policy marks a “significant milestone” in the ongoing reform of Nigeria’s teacher education system.
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The ministry said FCOEs that meet the standards of the National Universities Commission (NUC) are now eligible to operate under the dual mandate, regardless of how long they have existed.
Tunji Alausa, minister of state for education, described the policy implementation as “bold and progressive”, adding that it represents not just a reform but “a revolution in teacher preparation”.
“This policy strengthens the foundation of our education system—ensuring that every teacher is trained, qualified, and prepared,” he said.
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The dual mandate is expected to address declining enrolment in colleges of education, reduce the reliance on universities for degree affiliations, and enhance the quality of teaching by producing more qualified educators.
The ministry also said the policy grants more autonomy to colleges in developing and implementing curricula that respond to current trends in the teaching profession.
In April, Alausa had revealed that the dual mandate allowing colleges of education to offer degrees would begin in September 2025.
The government said it hopes the policy will help restore public confidence in teacher education, improve access to higher education, and ensure that institutions adapt to modern demands in education delivery.
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