- Worry as Federal Colleges of Education to now award Bachelor’s degrees
An ex-Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the poor performance in the recently released Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, calling them a reflection of Nigeria’s deteriorating education system.
According to data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), 1,955,069 candidates sat for the 2025 UTME. Of this number, only about 420,000 scored above 200, while over 1.5 million candidates failed to meet the 200-mark threshold — representing more than 78% of all candidates.
In a statement shared via his verified social media handle, Obi described the results as symptomatic of deep-rooted issues in the nation’s education sector, citing years of neglect and underinvestment.
“These results highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy,” Obi said.
He contrasted Nigeria’s education outcomes with those of other countries. While Nigeria’s total university enrollment stands at about two million students, Bangladesh’s National University alone enrolls over 3.4 million students, despite the country having only 75% of Nigeria’s population.
“Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas, including the Human Development Index (HDI),” he noted.
Obi also cited Turkey, with a population of around 87.7 million, and over seven million university students — more than three times Nigeria’s total.
Reaffirming his stance, Obi emphasized that education should not be viewed merely as a social service but as a strategic national investment.
“Education is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty. If we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria, we must invest aggressively in education at all levels,” he said.
And despite the fact that Colleges of Education in Nigeria are facing a decline in standards due to factors like inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and low teacher motivation, the Federal Government on Friday said it has officially commenced the implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy across all Federal Colleges of Education, following the enactment of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023.
According to a statement by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, this legislation, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, empowers FCOEs to concurrently award the Nigeria Certificate in Education and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s teacher education reform.
Announcing the policy rollout in Abuja, the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa described the implementation as a bold and progressive step.
“The Dual Mandate Policy represents not just a reform but a revolution in teacher preparation — enabling FCOEs to offer both NCE and Bachelor’s degrees. This initiative empowers institutions, broadens access, and enhances the quality of classroom instruction across Nigeria.”
According to the Act, all FCOEs that meet the National Universities Commission standards are now eligible to operate under the Dual Mandate. This inclusive policy ensures that institutions, regardless of their establishment date, can participate once the stipulated requirements are met.
The Minister emphasized the policy’s impact, noting that offering degrees within FCOEs equips educators with higher competencies to meet the evolving demands of the education sector. It also expands access to higher education by providing an alternative route to earn Education degrees outside the traditional university system.
The Dual Mandate addresses multiple challenges simultaneously, including curbing declining enrolment, preserving institutional relevance, and eliminating the need for university affiliations in the issuance of degrees.
Furthermore, the policy grants greater autonomy to FCOEs in curriculum development and implementation, enabling them to respond more swiftly to emerging trends and needs in the teaching profession.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to revitalizing education, the Minister stated: “No nation can rise above the quality of its teachers. This policy strengthens the foundation of our education system—ensuring that every teacher is trained, qualified, and prepared.”
The inclusion of eligible FCOEs in the Dual Mandate Programme marks a vital step toward advancing Nigeria’s educational development.
However, inadequate leadership and oversight leading to inefficiencies and mismanagement of resources; lack of qualified teachers and resources, which result in subpar teaching and learning experiences for students, are said to have contributed to the decline in standards in COEs.
