From Abubakar, Rabilu Gombe
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s teacher education sector have called for urgent reforms aimed at repositioning Colleges of Education as hubs for skills development, innovation, and economic advancement.
The call was made at the 2nd Annual Conference of the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education, held on April 21, 2026, at the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Dahiru Gurama, the conference themed “Revolutionizing Nigeria’s Colleges of Education System: Integrating Dual Mandate Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship for Educational and Economic Transformation” stressed the need to align academic training with practical skills and entrepreneurship in response to changing labour market demands.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the theme as timely, noting that Colleges of Education must go beyond theoretical instruction to equip graduates with practical skills for self-reliance and job creation.
She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the NCCE and other relevant stakeholders to promote policies that foster innovation and entrepreneurship in teacher education.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Dr. Angela Ajala, emphasised that prioritising skills acquisition and entrepreneurship remains essential to transforming Colleges of Education into dynamic institutions capable of producing competent and self-reliant graduates.
The Chairman of the Committee of Provosts, Dr. Ali Adamu, said the conference was convened to address critical challenges in the sub-sector while providing a platform for reforms, collaboration, and improved institutional performance.
The event also featured the unveiling of a festschrift in honour of the immediate past Executive Secretary of NCCE, Prof. Okwelle Paulinus Chijioke, in recognition of his contributions to teacher education in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Okwelle expressed appreciation for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to continued academic development and mentorship.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the President of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Dr. Lawan Bazza, and the President of the Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN), Danladi Ali Msheliza. They both described the initiative as a positive step towards strengthening the Colleges of Education system.
A send-off dinner was also organised in honour of the former NCCE boss, as well as past and outgoing committee chairmen and 32 retired or outgoing provosts.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Francis Adedayo Faduyile, said the recognition was meant to celebrate outstanding service and encourage serving officers to strive for excellence.
Awards were presented to honourees, while participants called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to advance teacher education and national development.