The Nigerian government has officially begun rolling out a new policy that allows Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs) to award Bachelor’s degrees.

This follows the introduction of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, which was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The confirmation came in a statement issued by Folasade Boriowo, who serves as the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education.

The new law gives FCOEs the right to grant both the traditional Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s degrees in Education at the same time.

This development is seen as a major breakthrough in efforts to improve how teachers are trained in Nigeria.

Speaking during the official launch of the policy in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as both bold and forward-thinking.

He explained that the Dual Mandate Policy is more than just a change—it’s a major transformation in how future teachers will be prepared. By allowing FCOEs to offer degree programs, the policy aims to improve teacher training and give students more opportunities.

According to the new law, any Federal College of Education that meets the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC) can now operate under this dual system.

The policy is open to all qualified institutions, no matter when they were established, as long as they meet the necessary conditions set by the NUC.