FG Approves Autonomy For Colleges To Run NCE, Degrees

The Federal Government has granted Colleges of Education the autonomy to independently run both National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes without university affiliation.

Education Minister, Dr. Marufu Olatunji Alausa, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, announced the reform at the National Education Summit in Abuja, citing the Federal Colleges of Education (Establishment) Act No. 43 of 2023 as the legal backing for the policy.

Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, described the move as historic, noting that the dual mandate will revitalise teacher education, expand access for student-teachers, and enable institutions to produce graduates with both NCE and B.Ed qualifications. The reform marks a departure from decades of reliance on universities for degree awards, giving colleges legislative authority to leverage their manpower, infrastructure, and expertise in teacher training.