NCCE Begins Major Review of Teacher Education Curriculum Nationwide

AKWANGA, Nigeria –  The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has launched a comprehensive review of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) Minimum Standards and curriculum, signalling a major shift aimed at strengthening teacher quality and aligning training with global education trends.

The Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, announces the initiative during the flag-off ceremony held at the Nasarawa College of Education, Akwanga, describing the exercise as timely and critical to Nigeria’s education future.

Okwelle says the review of the 2020 NCE Minimum Standards seeks to close identified gaps in teacher preparation by responding to emerging national priorities, global best practices, and the real-world challenges facing colleges of education.

“This review will address identifiable gaps in line with global education trends and the realities confronting teacher preparation institutions,” he says.

The exercise brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including teacher educators, policymakers, practitioners, and development partners, whose contributions are expected to shape a more responsive and future-ready curriculum.

A major focus of the revised framework is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital competencies. Okwelle explains that the new standards will embed AI awareness, ethical technology use, data literacy, and adaptive digital pedagogy.

“The revised NCE Minimum Standards will ensure that future teachers are not just consumers of technology, but effective facilitators of AI-enabled learning,” he says.

He notes that the National Policy on Education designates the NCE as the minimum qualification for teaching at the basic education level, making the quality of its standards a matter of national importance.

Okwelle also highlights ongoing reforms by the NCCE, including the Dual-Mode mandate, which empowers Colleges of Education to award Bachelor’s degrees independently, without university affiliation.

“This landmark reform expands access, improves autonomy, and restores public confidence in Colleges of Education,” he says.

He commends Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, for supporting teacher education and urges stakeholders to engage constructively, stressing that the quality of Nigeria’s schools ultimately depends on the quality of its teachers.

JAMB Warns New Tertiary Institutions: “No More Backdoor Admissions”

Abuja – Nigeria, In a strong stance against illegal academic admissions, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned newly-approved and upgraded tertiary institutions across Nigeria to adhere strictly to due process or risk the nullification of student admissions.

At an interactive session in Abuja on Monday, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, declared that all admissions must go through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), with no room left for regularization. “CAPS ensures transparency, fairness, and integrity. Institutions trying to bypass it are setting themselves up for failure,” he said.

The warning comes as over 80 new institutions were recently licensed by the Federal Government, including 22 universities, 33 polytechnics and monotechnics, and 12 colleges of education.

Prof.  Oloyede praised the Tinubu administration for expanding access to higher education but stressed that growth must be accompanied by compliance.

“JAMB will provide full technical support, but compliance is non-negotiable. Institutions must avoid shortcuts. There’s no justification for admitting students through the backdoor,” he warned.

The CAPS and Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS), JAMB’s official platforms, were demonstrated live at the event. These systems now include institutional email integration to streamline communication.

Prof. William Qurix, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, admitted the session was enlightening. “JAMB has assured us of prompt support. This will greatly impact how we onboard students,” he said.

Education ministry officials and agency heads emphasized that resource verification and adherence to regulatory standards by the NUC, NBTE, and NCCE are essential.

“Only seven out of 15 upgraded colleges have met with the NUC. That must change,” said Dr. Uche Uba, Director of Colleges, Ministry of Education.

Gom Marian – Report

TETFund Urges Tertiary Institutions to Prioritize Student Skills

Arc. Sonny Echono,  Executive Secretary, TETFund

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund), has called on tertiary institutions to prioritise the training of students in new skills to stay competitive.

Executive Secretary Arc. Sonny Echono made the call at a workshop organized by TETFund on emerging areas of students’ needs in Abuja.

Echono explained that the Fund had introduced Career Services Centers to help students make informed decisions about their career paths. Stating, ” These centers provide information on job market trends, opportunities, requisite skills, alumni connections, counseling, guidance, and support.”

He also discussed a presidential directive on supporting teaching practice, expanding the allowance to include Faculties of Education in universities.

The National President of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Dr. Smart Olugbeko praised TETFund for implementing career centers and stressed the need to address student employability. 

He urged the centers to address the employability of students, as employers have expressed concerns in this area.

Prof Paulinus Okwelle of the National Commission for Colleges of Education emphasized the changing role of educators and the need for diverse teaching approaches. 

The workshop aimed to brainstorm areas of intervention that would benefit both institutions and students. Olugbeko urged the centers to focus on skills development and infrastructure uniformity for effective functionality.

Gom Mirian – Report