- The federal government approved the implementation of NCE and degree programs in qualified federal colleges of education starting in 2024/2025
- New colleges must run NCE programs for 10 years before offering degrees to ensure curriculum and staff readiness
The Federal Government has approved the simultaneous implementation of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes in Federal Colleges of Education (FCEs). However, this directive specifies that only qualified colleges will be allowed to commence degree programmes.
The approval was detailed in a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education to the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), dated June 5, 2024. The letter, signed by Dr. U. C. Uba, Director of Colleges of Education, noted that the approval comes following recommendations from the technical committee on the implementation framework.
According to the letter, the implementation of these programmes is set to begin in the 2024/2025 academic session. Additionally, the government stipulated that newly established colleges of education must run the NCE programme successfully for at least 10 years before introducing degree programmes. This decade-long period is intended to allow these institutions to develop and establish robust curricula, accreditation schedules, academic programmes, and staff capacity building and to gain sufficient experience for a smooth transition to degree programmes.
The letter also highlighted the necessity for strong collaboration between the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the NCCE in curriculum development, ensuring that NCE content is seamlessly integrated into degree courses without unnecessary repetition.