Colleges Of Education To Start Awarding Degrees From September 2025 – FG

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa has announced that colleges of education will start offering both bachelor’s degrees and the National Certificate in Education (NCE) beginning September 2025.

The dual mandate allowing this change was signed into law in 2023, following recommendations from various education committees.

It was initially planned to roll out in the 2024/2025 academic session, starting with federal colleges of education that are at least 10 years old. But the implementation has now been pushed to the 2025/2026 session.

Speaking in Abuja during a follow-up meeting with education stakeholders, Alausa said the new system will help boost enrolment in colleges of education and remove the pressure to convert them into universities.

He highlighted the importance of modernizing teacher training, urging colleges to embrace technology, critical thinking, and digital skills in their teaching methods.

“We once had a strong educational system, and that’s what we are working hard to restore. All hands are on deck to achieve this,” he said.

“We must tackle the high number of out-of-school children and reduce learning poverty across the country. As teachers, you are at the centre of driving this change, and you must also challenge yourselves.

“The way we taught 30 or 50 years ago is no longer relevant. Education and teaching methods are evolving. You must start thinking about how to use technology in the classroom.”

He also emphasized the need for colleges to adopt educational technology and artificial intelligence to improve learning outcomes.

With declining student numbers in colleges of education, Alausa urged school leaders and staff to support these reforms, stressing that the survival of their institutions depends on adapting to the new model.

“With this dual mandate, there is no need for conversion to university status. You should be the ones pushing for implementation, not the other way around. It’s a matter of your survival.

“The government has secured the future of colleges of education. It is now up to you to sustain them. Failure to embrace this mandate could lead to extinction.

“With this reform, there’s no justification for any college of education to seek university status,” Alausa said.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Federal Ministry of Education recently refuted claims that Nigeria is scrapping the Junior and Senior Secondary School system.