The Federal Government has warned Colleges of Education against offering substandard degree programmes under the Dual Mandate policy, stressing that institutions must meet required academic and infrastructural standards before commencing or expanding their programmes.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, gave the warning today in Abuja at a national retreat on the implementation of the Dual Mandate policy, where the Dual Mandate Curriculum and the National Commission for Colleges of Education’s Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2031 were unveiled.
Ahmad said the success of the policy would not be determined by the number of colleges offering degree programmes, but by their commitment to quality, accountability and regulatory standards. She identified qualified lecturers, adequate teaching facilities, effective quality assurance systems and sound institutional governance as essential requirements.
The minister explained that the policy allows eligible Colleges of Education to retain their Nigeria Certificate in Education programmes while offering approved bachelor’s degrees in education. She said the initiative was designed to expand access to higher education and strengthen teacher training.
Ahmad also urged college administrators to provide continuous professional development for lecturers, improve instructional resources and adopt relevant digital technologies. She emphasised that the new curriculum would establish minimum academic standards and strengthen students’ subject knowledge, teaching competence and practical skills.
On the 2026–2031 strategic plan, the minister called for disciplined implementation, effective monitoring and stronger collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Education, the NCCE, the National Universities Commission and college managements to ensure quality delivery and prevent unnecessary duplication of regulatory processes.
