By Abubakar Rabilu
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s teacher education sector have called for urgent reforms to reposition Colleges of Education as centres of skills development, innovation and economic growth.
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) in Abuja.
A statement issued by the Acting Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Dahiru Gurama, said the conference, themed “Revolutionizing Nigeria’s Colleges of Education System: Integrating Dual Mandate Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship for Educational and Economic Transformation,” highlighted the need to align academic training with practical skills and entrepreneurship in response to evolving labour market demands.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the theme as timely, stressing that Colleges of Education must go beyond theoretical instruction to equip graduates with skills for self-reliance and job creation.
She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the NCCE and other stakeholders to promote policies that support innovation and entrepreneurship in teacher education.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Dr Angela Ajala, said prioritising skills acquisition and entrepreneurship is key to transforming Colleges of Education into dynamic institutions capable of producing competent and self-reliant graduates.
Chairman of the Committee of Provosts, Dr Ali Adamu, said the conference was designed to address pressing 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 NCCE Executive Secretary, Prof. Okwelle Paulinus Chijioke, in recognition of his contributions to teacher education in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, Okwelle expressed appreciation for the honour and pledged continued commitment to academic development and mentorship.
Goodwill messages from 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, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), Danladi Ali Msheliza, described the initiative as a step towards strengthening the Colleges of Education system.
A send-off dinner was later held in honour of the former NCCE boss, past and outgoing committee chairmen, as well as 32 retired or outgoing provosts.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Francis Adedayo Faduyile, said the recognition was aimed at celebrating outstanding service and inspiring serving officers to strive for excellence.
Awards were presented to the honourees, while participants called for sustained collaboration to advance teacher education and national development.
