A dual mandate allowing Colleges of Education (COEs) to award both Bachelor’s Degrees and the National Certificate in Education (NCE) is set for implementation.

This was disclosed by Education Minister, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday April 22, 2025, in Abuja during a follow-up meeting on resolution from the last biannual stakeholders meeting.

In 2023, the mandate was signed into law, having undergone ideation with numerous committees recommending its adoption.

It was to take effect from the 2024/2025 academic session (starting — september 2024), where only Federal COEs aged at least 10 years were to pilot the programme.

Alausa said that the development of the dual mandate will begin in September 2025.

Education Minister said it would boost enrolment in COEs and eliminate the need to convert COEs to universities.