The Federal Government has challenged Colleges of Education across Nigeria to demonstrate measurable results under the Dual Mandate policy, warning that expanding degree programmes must not come at the expense of academic quality and effective teacher preparation.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, gave the charge in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a national retreat and workshop on implementing the Dual Mandate policy and the strategic plan for Colleges of Education.
The event featured the unveiling of a new Dual Mandate Curriculum and the National Commission for Colleges of Education’s Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2031.
Ahmad said the success of the policy would depend on institutions’ ability to produce competent and professionally prepared teachers rather than simply increase the number of colleges offering degree programmes.
She explained that participating institutions must meet established regulatory requirements before commencing or expanding degree programmes. These requirements include qualified academic staff, adequate teaching and learning facilities, effective quality assurance systems and sound institutional governance.
The minister warned college administrators against treating the policy as an opportunity to introduce additional academic programmes without first ensuring that their institutions had the capacity to deliver quality education.
The Dual Mandate policy allows eligible Colleges of Education to retain their Nigeria Certificate in Education programmes while offering approved bachelor’s degrees in education, subject to the relevant regulatory and accreditation requirements. The initiative is intended to widen access to higher education and strengthen teacher preparation across the country.
Ahmad said the newly unveiled curriculum would provide minimum academic standards for degree programmes, covering curriculum development, student assessment, subject knowledge, teaching methods and practical teaching skills.
She also urged college authorities to invest in staff development, improve instructional resources and strengthen teaching supervision to ensure that graduates were adequately prepared for the demands of modern classrooms.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Dr Angela Ajala, said the reform required institutions to move beyond policy discussions and focus on implementation, accountability and measurable performance.
Ajala stressed that the Dual Mandate policy should encourage colleges to review their governance structures, teaching methods, financing arrangements and approaches to assessing educational outcomes.
She also emphasised that a new curriculum alone would not transform teacher education without effective leadership, adequate funding, modern facilities and well-prepared lecturers.
The commission’s strategic plan for 2026–2031 is expected to provide direction for strengthening institutional capacity and improving the delivery of teacher education. College administrators are expected to assess their readiness, identify operational gaps and develop practical plans for implementing the reform.
The government’s position places greater responsibility on Colleges of Education to demonstrate that the expanded mandate can improve the quality of teachers produced for Nigeria’s education system. The long-term success of the initiative will depend on consistent implementation, effective monitoring, sufficient resources and compliance with academic standards.
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