New Curriculum: FG Sets Strict Conditions For Colleges Offering Degree Programmes

The Federal Government has cautioned colleges of education across Nigeria against introducing or expanding degree programmes without qualified lecturers, adequate facilities and effective quality assurance systems.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of a new curriculum and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) Strategic Plan for 2026–2031.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Ahmad described the opportunity for colleges of education to award degrees alongside the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) as a positive development but stressed that institutions must prioritise academic standards and the quality of teacher training.

She explained that colleges must demonstrate readiness in staffing, infrastructure and quality assurance before introducing or expanding degree programmes.

The minister noted that the success of the policy should not be measured by the number of institutions offering degrees but by the quality of teachers they produce for Nigeria’s education system.

Ahmad also urged the NCCE to ensure that college managements fully understand and effectively implement the new curriculum. She called on institutions to align their budgets, staff recruitment strategies and infrastructure development plans with the objectives of the reforms.

In addition, she emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Education, the NCCE, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and college managements to prevent confusion over regulatory responsibilities and ensure effective implementation.

Speaking at the national retreat and workshop on the implementation of the dual mandate and the NCCE Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2031, the commission’s Executive Secretary, Dr Angela Ajala, said the reforms were designed to produce teachers capable of meeting the changing demands of schools and learners.

Ajala explained that the revised curriculum would equip trainee teachers with digital skills, knowledge of inclusive education, entrepreneurial abilities and modern teaching techniques.

She noted that the curriculum was developed through contributions from academics, curriculum specialists, professional organisations and relevant regulatory agencies.

According to her, the reforms are intended to provide student teachers with more practical experience and prepare them more effectively for classroom responsibilities.

However, Ajala warned that the objectives of the new curriculum could be undermined if colleges lacked qualified academic staff, modern teaching equipment and sufficient funding.

She therefore urged provosts and other institutional leaders to assess their readiness to implement the reforms, paying particular attention to staffing, infrastructure, financial resources and administrative capacity.

The newly unveiled curriculum and the NCCE’s five-year strategic plan are expected to guide colleges of education in strengthening their academic programmes and improving teacher preparation between 2026 and 2031.

Ahmad called on education authorities and institutional administrators to work collectively to ensure the reforms translate into better teacher training and improved educational standards across Nigeria.