Federal College of Education, Zaria: Clarifications, Changes, and Benefits Without Conversion
Contrary to previous expectations, the college remains a College of Education and has not been converted into a Federal University of Education.
Okoro David Emeka 
The Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on June 12, 2023, and gazetted on July 24, 2023, has provided clarity regarding the status of the Federal College of Education, Zaria. Contrary to previous expectations, the college remains a College of Education and has not been converted into a Federal University of Education.
In early June 2024, the Honourable Minister of Education approved the implementation of the Dual Mandate in all Colleges listed in the new Act, including the Federal College of Education, Zaria. This means that the college will run both Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programs concurrently, starting from the 2024/2025 academic session.
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The attached list contains all Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria that are to remain Colleges of Education and have not been converted to universities. This clarification is crucial for understanding the implications of the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023 on the status of these institutions. The Act lists 24 Federal Colleges of Education.
Moreover, the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023 compels the Federal College of Education, Zaria to remain a College, operating under the provisions of the new Act. This allows the College to offer both Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) 3-year programme and 2-year degree programme autonomously, without affiliating with any university. This streamlines the graduation process and enables immediate progression to the compulsory one-year NYSC programme.
The Federal College of Education, Zaria has already made significant progress in implementing the Dual Mandate, demonstrating its commitment to providing quality teacher education. The College’s ability to offer a range of programmes, in addition to NCE and degree programmes without affiliation with any universities, will provide students with diverse academic options, including future Master’s degrees and PhDs, enabling the production of homegrown professors.
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The benefits of the Dual Mandate cannot be overstated. It provides opportunities for students and staff to develop themselves through their chosen careers. The College can maintain its affordable registration fees and opportunities for students, making teacher education more accessible. Furthermore, the Dual Mandate allows the College, known as the most cosmopolitan College in Nigeria, to attract individuals from across the country who value teacher education, fostering a diverse and vibrant academic community.
In addition to the Dual Mandate, the Act gives the Federal College of Education, Zaria, and the other Colleges, the opportunity to develop their curriculum and programmes, conduct research and innovation in teacher education, collaborate with other institutions and organizations to enhance teacher education, and provide opportunities for professional development and capacity building for staff and students.
This autonomy will enable FCE Zaria to respond to the changing needs of teacher education in Nigeria, to maintain its position as a premier teacher education institution and the “Best College of Education”. With the Dual Mandate and autonomy, the Federal College of Education, Zaria is poised to continue its legacy of excellence in teacher education.
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The implementation of the Dual Mandate is a significant milestone for the Federal College of Education, Zaria, and it is expected to have a positive impact on teacher education in Nigeria. The College’s commitment to providing quality education will continue to attract students and staff from across the country.
To sum it up, the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023 has clarified the status of the Federal College of Education, Zaria as a College of Education, operating the Dual Mandate system. The college will continue to offer a range of programs and opportunities for students and staff, solidifying its position as a premier teacher education institution in Nigeria.
The successful implementation of the Dual Mandate will be a testament to the college's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and its commitment to providing quality teacher education. As the pioneer and most cosmopolitan college of education in Nigeria, the Federal College of Education, Zaria is poised to maintain its legacy of excellence in teacher education. This development will provide numerous opportunities and benefits to the people of Zaria, its immediate environments, Kaduna State, and Nigeria at large.
by Sani Lawal Maqarphy
