The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has unveiled a new curriculum and a five-year strategic plan aimed at improving teacher education and strengthening the capacity of colleges of education to award degrees alongside the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).

The commission’s Executive Secretary, Dr Angela Ajala, said the reforms were intended to move colleges beyond awarding certificates to producing competent teachers equipped with modern teaching skills, digital knowledge and practical experience.

Ajala spoke on Tuesday at a national retreat and workshop on the implementation of the dual mandate and the NCCE Medium-Term Strategic Plan (2026–2031) in Abuja.

She said the dual mandate provided an opportunity to reposition colleges of education, expand academic pathways and improve the professional preparation of teachers.

Ajala said the new curriculum, developed through consultations involving academics, curriculum specialists, professional bodies and regulatory agencies, incorporated digital competencies, inclusive education, entrepreneurship and innovative teaching methods.

She warned that the curriculum could not deliver the desired results without adequately trained lecturers, modern facilities, effective quality assurance and appropriate funding.

She urged provosts and other college leaders to assess their institutions’ readiness for the dual mandate, including staffing, infrastructure, curriculum delivery, governance and financial sustainability.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said the success of the policy would not be measured by the number of colleges introducing degree programmes but by their ability to maintain academic standards.

She said participating institutions must demonstrate adequate qualified personnel, appropriate facilities, functional quality assurance systems and sound governance arrangements before commencing or expanding degree programmes.

Ahmad also urged the NCCE to ensure that the new curriculum was properly disseminated and consistently implemented, with mechanisms to monitor compliance and assess learning outcomes.

She said colleges should align their development plans, annual budgets, staffing strategies and infrastructure priorities with the objectives of the strategic plan.

The minister called for stronger collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Education, NCCE, National Universities Commission and college managements to ensure effective implementation and avoid duplication of regulatory responsibilities.

Ahmad formally unveiled the new dual-mandate curriculum and the NCCE Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2031, urging stakeholders to work together to improve teacher preparation and learning outcomes nationwide.