The Federal Government has warned Colleges of Education against launching degree programmes without qualified lecturers, adequate facilities and effective quality assurance systems under the Dual Mandate policy.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, gave the warning in Abuja on Tuesday at a national retreat on implementing the policy, where a new curriculum for degree programmes and the National Commission for Colleges of Education’s strategic plan for 2026–2031 were unveiled.
Ahmad said the success of the policy would depend on the quality of graduates produced rather than the number of institutions introducing degree programmes.
She urged college administrators to demonstrate institutional readiness, including adequate academic staff, suitable teaching and learning facilities, sound governance and functional quality assurance mechanisms, before starting or expanding their programmes.
The Dual Mandate allows eligible Colleges of Education to continue offering the Nigeria Certificate in Education while running approved bachelor’s degree programmes in education, subject to regulatory requirements. The policy is designed to expand access to higher education and strengthen teacher preparation.
Ahmad said the new curriculum would set minimum academic standards for the programmes, covering teaching, assessment, subject knowledge, pedagogical competence and practical teaching skills.
She also called for continuous professional development for lecturers, effective teaching supervision, adequate instructional resources and greater use of relevant digital technologies.
The minister said the NCCE’s Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2031 should guide improvements in regulation, institutional development, quality assurance and innovation across the Colleges of Education system.
She urged the Federal Ministry of Education, NCCE, National Universities Commission and college managements to strengthen collaboration to ensure consistent implementation and avoid unnecessary duplication of regulatory processes.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Dr Angela Ajala, said the retreat was intended to move teacher education reforms from policy formulation to implementation, accountability and measurable results.
Ajala said the new curriculum was developed through consultations involving academics, curriculum specialists, professional bodies, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders. It covers programmes across 10 schools and includes digital competencies, inclusive education, innovative teaching methods, entrepreneurship and practical skills.
She warned that the curriculum would not deliver the expected improvements without adequately trained lecturers, modern facilities, strong leadership, effective quality assurance and sustainable funding.
Ajala urged colleges to assess their capacity, identify gaps and develop realistic implementation plans. She said the commission would provide regulatory guidance, technical support and coordination.
She added that the NCCE intended to make the retreat an annual platform for reviewing progress, sharing experiences and assessing whether the reforms were improving teaching, learning, governance and graduate outcomes.
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