Key Notes

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, described the summit as “a turning point in teacher education in Nigeria.” Prof. Okwelle explained that the Federal Colleges of Education (Establishment) Act No. 43 of 2023, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has legally empowered Colleges of Education to concurrently run both NCE and Bachelor’s Degree programmes without reliance on university affiliations. He noted that the reform would revitalize Colleges of Education, expand access to teacher education, and ensure the steady supply of qualified teachers for both basic and secondary education. He further stressed the need for synergy among key stakeholders such as JAMB, TRCN, TETFund, and UBEC in order to make the dual mandate successful.