FCE Technical Gombe Sensitises Nce I Students On Dual Mandate Programme, Highlights New Academic Opportunities

The Management of the Federal College of Education, Technical, Gombe, on Monday, 3rd August 2026, held an interactive sensitisation meeting with NCE I students to educate them on the Federal Government's Dual Mandate Programme and the numerous opportunities it offers for academic progression, professional development, and skills acquisition.

In his opening remarks, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Ali Auta, stated that the sensitisation exercise was organised to acquaint NCE I students with the provisions of the Dual Mandate Programme, its implementation process, and the numerous academic and professional opportunities it offers to students pursuing teacher education.

Speaking during the meeting, the Provost of the College, Dr. Mohammed Gazali Abdulhamid, explained that under the Dual Mandate Programme, students would be admitted into a three-year Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE, programme. Upon successful completion, interested graduates would have the opportunity to seamlessly proceed to a two-year Bachelor of Education degree programme.

The Provost further disclosed that the new policy integrates entrepreneurship and vocational skills training into the NCE curriculum. According to him, students will be able to choose from 25 entrepreneurial skill areas in which to specialise. This initiative, he noted, will enable graduates of the NCE programme to earn both the Nigeria Certificate in Education and a globally recognised trade certificate.

He added that students who continue to the degree level under the Dual Mandate Programme would graduate after five years with three qualifications: the Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE, a trade or vocational skills certificate, and a Bachelor of Education degree.

Dr. Gazali also clarified the new admission policy introduced by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, for Colleges of Education. 

He explained that prospective candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes are no longer required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. Instead, applicants are expected to register through the appropriate admission portal and obtain a JAMB registration number, which qualifies them for admission into the NCE programme.

He further revealed that JAMB has directed all Colleges of Education to establish Institutional Professional Registration Centres, IPRCs, to facilitate the registration and admission process for prospective NCE students. 

According to him, the College has already established its IPRC in compliance with the directive. The centre is responsible for assisting prospective applicants with their admission procedures. He therefore encouraged the NCE I students to share the information with their siblings, friends, and other prospective candidates interested in studying at the College.

The Provost congratulated the students on being the pioneer beneficiaries of the Federal Government's Dual Mandate Programme and urged them to remain diligent and committed to their studies so they could fully maximise the academic, professional, and entrepreneurial opportunities the initiative offers.

In his remarks, the Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Dr. Tunde Gabriel, urged the students to remain committed to their studies and take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the Dual Mandate Programme. He also encouraged them to enroll in the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, scheme to ease the burden of tuition payments.

Dr. Gabriel further appealed to the students to inform their parents, guardians, and members of their communities about the new policy and its benefits, so that more prospective students can take advantage of the opportunities available through the College.