The Federal Government has warned Colleges of Education against introducing or expanding degree programmes without meeting the required academic and institutional standards under the Dual Mandate policy.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja at a national retreat on the implementation of the Dual Mandate and the strategic plan for Colleges of Education.
The event featured the unveiling of the Dual Mandate Curriculum and the National Commission for Colleges of Education’s Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2031.
Ahmad stressed that the success of the policy would depend on the quality of programmes offered by institutions, rather than the number of colleges that introduced degree courses.
She said colleges seeking to operate under the policy must have qualified academic staff, adequate teaching and learning facilities, effective quality assurance mechanisms and sound governance structures.
According to the minister, the policy comes with greater responsibilities and should not be treated simply as an avenue for expanding academic 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 initiative is aimed at expanding access to higher education, strengthening teacher preparation and improving the quality of teaching and learning.
Ahmad said the newly introduced curriculum would provide minimum academic standards for degree programmes under the policy, covering programme development, teaching, student assessment and the development of subject knowledge and practical teaching skills.
She added that the quality of the curriculum must be reflected in the competence, character and professional readiness of graduates entering the teaching profession.
The minister also urged college administrators to invest in continuous professional development for lecturers, provide adequate instructional materials, strengthen teaching supervision and adopt relevant digital technologies.
On the commission’s strategic plan for 2026–2031, Ahmad said it should serve as a guide for improving regulation, institutional development, quality assurance and innovation across the Colleges of Education system.
She warned that the plan would have little impact without proper coordination, responsible leadership, sustained monitoring and disciplined implementation.
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The minister called for stronger cooperation among the Federal Ministry of Education, the NCCE, the National Universities Commission and college managements to ensure consistent implementation and avoid unnecessary duplication of regulatory processes.
Earlier, the NCCE Executive Secretary, Dr Angela Ajala, said the retreat was designed to move teacher education reforms beyond policy formulation towards implementation, accountability and measurable outcomes.
Ajala described the Dual Mandate as an opportunity to improve institutional governance, teaching methods, student learning, funding and performance assessment.
She said the new curriculum was developed through consultations with curriculum specialists, academics, professional bodies, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders, covering programmes across 10 schools.
According to her, the curriculum incorporates digital competencies, inclusive education, innovative teaching methods, entrepreneurship and practical skills to prepare graduates for current educational demands.
However, she warned that the reforms would not achieve their objectives without well-prepared lecturers, modern facilities, effective quality assurance, strong leadership and sustainable funding.
Ajala urged colleges to assess their capacity, identify gaps and develop realistic implementation plans, assuring them of the commission’s regulatory guidance and technical support.
She also called on governments, development partners, professional bodies, unions and other stakeholders to support the reforms, describing investment in teacher education as essential to Nigeria’s broader development.
The NCCE executive secretary said the annual retreat would provide a platform to review progress, assess institutional performance and determine whether the reforms were producing improvements in teaching, learning, governance and graduate outcomes.