In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government of Nigeria is developing modalities to improve the livelihood of staff and students across various Colleges of Education nationwide through quality humanitarian service delivery.

This initiative stems from the ongoing transformation that has significantly improved service delivery and overall performance within institutions under the supervision of the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Delu Bulus Yakubu, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the NCCE held on 20th May 2025. The visit aimed to foster collaboration in advancing humanitarian services to Colleges of Education across Nigeria.

Hon. Delu emphasized the Federal Government's commitment to addressing humanitarian challenges across various sectors, particularly within educational institutions such as the Colleges of Education, which are mandated to train future custodians of the nation’s education system.

“Our collaboration with the National Commission for Colleges of Education is not only timely but essential in responding to the humanitarian challenges affecting these institutions,” she said. According to her, by pooling resources and expertise through this partnership, the implementation of livelihood programs focused on resilience building, restoring dignity, and providing sustainable income opportunities for families and communities within these institutions will be significantly enhanced.

She further explained that working together to address humanitarian needs through livelihood support, including vocational training, financial inclusion initiatives, and the promotion of small-scale enterprises will ensure that these programs are not only environmentally sustainable but also aligned with the long-term goals of the NCCE.

In response, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, expressed appreciation to the Presidency for recognizing the importance of Colleges of Education and deeming them worthy of humanitarian intervention.

Professor Okwelle explained that providing humanitarian support to college communities, especially to vulnerable groups, will help reduce poverty by equipping people with useful skills. He added that this will also make the colleges stronger and more resilient, address the root causes of poverty and displacement, and encourage more students to enroll.

“This collaboration is a welcome development, and we are fully committed to supporting all areas of this initiative. As far as the NCCE is concerned, we are ready to provide the necessary technical support to help you achieve your mandate,” he said. The Executive Secretary further highlighted that such collaboration would be a significant boost for technical colleges across the country, as it would equip students with essential skills and reduce the overdependence on white-collar jobs.