Federal govt approves 5-year Degree programme for Colleges of Education

By Isa Isawade

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has confirmed receipt of ‘Ministarial Directives’ on the Dual Mandate and the Continuous Five (5)-Year NCE Degree Programme Colleges of Education.

This will provide for transition from the existing 3-year NCE and 4-year degree structure to a 3-year NCE plus 2-year degree pathway.

According to the directives issued on 5 May 2026, all Colleges of Education operating the Dual Mandate 4-year degree programme are to discontinue admissions into the programme and commence full implementation of the new structure from the 2026/2027 academic session.

This new system provides a smooth academic pathway of 3 years for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and an additional 2-year degree programme for eligible NCE graduates.

This means that students who successfully complete their NCE programme will now have the opportunity to proceed directly into the degree programme at 300 Level within the same academic structure, making the process easier, faster, and more coordinated.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the value of the NCE qualification as the minimum teaching standard while also creating a seamless transition to bachelor’s degree certification within Colleges of Education.

Many have seen this development as good news and commended the Federal Government and the NCCE for such a thoughtful policy that will make graduates of Colleges of Education peer up with their counterparts in universities.