The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has challenged provosts of colleges of education across Nigeria to demonstrate measurable results through effective implementation of the dual-mandate policy, stronger institutional accountability and improved teacher preparation.

Alausa, represented by the Director of Colleges of Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Cecilia Uba, made the call at the Teacher Education Leadership and Impact Award ceremony organised by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) in Abuja on Thursday.

The event, held in partnership with Gosima Group, formed part of activities marking the commission’s national retreat and workshop on implementing the dual mandate and strategic plan for colleges of education.

The minister said the policy offered an opportunity to reposition colleges of education, strengthen teacher training and expand pathways for academic and professional advancement.

He stressed that achieving these objectives would require strategic leadership, institutional accountability, collaboration among stakeholders and a shared commitment to excellence.

Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with the NCCE, college provosts and other stakeholders to implement policies aimed at improving the quality, relevance and global competitiveness of teacher education in Nigeria.

He commended the commission for recognising educational leaders whose professional contributions had supported improvements in teacher education.

The minister urged award recipients to regard the recognition not merely as an acknowledgement of past achievements but as a renewed responsibility to promote innovation, improve institutional performance and serve the country.

The dual-mandate policy allows eligible colleges of education to offer the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) alongside approved bachelor’s degree programmes in education, subject to relevant regulatory requirements.

The reform is intended to widen access to higher education, strengthen professional teacher preparation and create additional opportunities for academic progression.

Its implementation, however, requires institutions to demonstrate adequate staffing, appropriate teaching facilities, effective quality assurance and the capacity to maintain academic standards.

The NCCE has emphasised that the success of the policy should be measured by the competence of graduates and improvements in teaching and learning rather than simply by the number of colleges offering degree programmes.

The Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Dr Angela Ajala, said college provosts had a central responsibility in national development because the quality of teachers significantly influenced the standard of education delivered in classrooms.

She urged institutional leaders to strengthen teacher preparation, expand academic opportunities, promote research and embrace digital innovation.

Ajala also called on colleges to pursue academic excellence, financial sustainability and improved learning outcomes while building public confidence in their programmes.

She said the commission remained committed to quality assurance and institutional development and encouraged college administrators to translate policy commitments into practical improvements.

The chairman of the occasion and former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, described teacher education as a matter of national importance, warning that neglecting teachers could undermine the country’s long-term development.

He called for modern facilities, sustainable funding and improved professional development opportunities to help colleges prepare teachers for changing classroom demands, including the growing use of digital technologies.

Anyim also urged the private sector to invest in education and called for greater public recognition of teachers’ contributions to national development.

Meanwhile, the President and Group Managing Director of Gosima Group, Dr Gideon Chidiebere Osi, announced plans to expand scholarship opportunities for deserving students in colleges of education through the company’s charitable arm, the Gideon and Joy Life and Leadership Foundation.

Osi said the partnership with the NCCE was intended to support educational leadership and strengthen teacher preparation through scholarships, mentorship and youth leadership development.

He noted that investment in education was a shared responsibility requiring collaboration between government, private organisations and other stakeholders.

The ceremony brought together education administrators, government representatives and private-sector participants to recognise contributions to teacher education and encourage cooperation towards improving the quality of teaching in Nigeria.