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The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, has urged stakeholders of Colleges of Education to rise to the challenge, and embrace innovation and the dual mandate, which allows colleges to award both bachelor's degrees and NCE qualifications.
This approach, he said, will boost enrollment, improve teacher education quality, and eliminate the need to convert Colleges of Education into universities.
The Minister, in a statement by Boriowo Folasade, Director Press and PR, emphasized that the Nigerian education sector stands at a critical juncture.
According to him, the declining enrollment is a call for bold reforms.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to repositioning Colleges of Education through the Dual Mandate Policy.
"Let me be clear," he warned. "Colleges that fail to implement this policy risk becoming extinct. We must not cling to outdated structures."
"The Ministry is collaborating with JAMB, NUC, and other regulators to ensure swift implementation." he added
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa'ad Ahmad, reaffirmed the Federal Government's strong support for the Dual Mandate Policy.
She described it as a top priority to improve teacher education and expand access to quality education.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, emphasized the centrality of teacher education in national development.
Dr. Smart Olugbeko, COEASU President, called for collective responsibility in implementing the dual mandate.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to work collaboratively toward excellence and innovation in the education sector.