The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), in collaboration with the Committee of Provosts and Staff Unions of Colleges of Education, on Tuesday, 19th August 2025, held a historic National Summit on the implementation of the concurrent running of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Degree programmes in Colleges of Education. The event, held at the NCCE Auditorium, Abuja, brought together key policymakers, lawmakers, education administrators, and other stakeholders to deliberate on the roadmap for implementing the Dual Mandate reform.



In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, described the summit as “a turning point in teacher education in Nigeria.” Prof. Okwelle explained that the Federal Colleges of Education (Establishment) Act No. 43 of 2023, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has legally empowered Colleges of Education to concurrently run both NCE and Bachelor’s Degree programmes without reliance on university affiliations.

He noted that the reform would revitalize Colleges of Education, expand access to teacher education, and ensure the steady supply of qualified teachers for both basic and secondary education. He further stressed the need for synergy among key stakeholders such as JAMB, TRCN, TETFund, and UBEC in order to make the dual mandate successful.



Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, hailed the Act as a “historic milestone in Nigeria’s educational development.” She emphasized that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring the reform is effectively implemented, while tasking NCCE, NUC, and other stakeholders with upholding strict quality assurance standards. “Our focus must shift from policy to implementation,” she said, urging participants to engage constructively in charting the way forward.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muhammad Muntari Dandutse, described the dual mandate as a bold initiative that would increase access to quality education, improve teacher quality, and promote national development. He assured participants of the National Assembly’s continued support through legislation and budgetary provisions.



On his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on Colleges of Education, Hon. Adamu Tanko, highlighted the practical benefits of the reform, including increased student enrolment, better utilization of existing staff capacity, and the production of more qualified teachers. He expressed optimism that the summit would help outline strategies to overcome challenges associated with the dual mandate.

The summit featured paper presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on issues ranging from curriculum redesign and accreditation processes to staff capacity building and funding strategies.

At the end of deliberations, participants agreed that the policy report to be produced from the summit would serve as a guiding framework for the implementation of the Dual Mandate. Stakeholders affirmed that the report will not only shape how Colleges of Education run concurrent NCE and Degree programmes but also strengthen the overall structure of teacher education in Nigeria, ensuring its responsiveness to national needs and global trends.