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ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Federal Government has officially begun the rollout of the Dual Mandate Policy in all Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs), following the passage of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023. Signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, this legislation permits FCOEs to simultaneously confer the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education.
This marks a significant achievement in Nigeria’s continuous reform of teacher education.
During the announcement of the policy implementation in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described this step as bold and progressive.
“The Dual Mandate Policy signifies not merely a reform but a transformation in teacher training, allowing FCOEs to provide both NCE and Bachelor’s degrees.
This initiative empowers institutions, expands access, and improves the quality of classroom teaching throughout Nigeria,” he stated.
According to the Act, FCOEs meeting the standards of the National Universities Commission (NUC) are now eligible to function under the Dual Mandate.
“This inclusive policy permits participation irrespective of when the institution was established, as long as they meet the required criteria.”
Alausa emphasized the extensive implications of the policy, highlighting that it would improve teacher competency and increase access to higher education by offering an alternative route to obtain education degrees outside the conventional university framework.
“The Dual Mandate simultaneously addresses several challenges, including the decrease in enrollment, maintaining institutional relevance, and removing the necessity for university associations in degree issuance,” he remarked.
He also noted that the policy provides greater independence to FCOEs in developing and executing their curricula, enabling them to adapt more quickly to the changing demands of the teaching profession.
