The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has urged the Federal Government to appoint a seasoned Colleges‑of‑Education professional as the next Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), as the tenure of the current helmsman draws to a close.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by its President, Dr. Lawan Ahmed Lawan, the union said appointing an insider would ensure continuity, stability and credibility in the ongoing reforms within Nigeria’s Colleges of Education system.
COEASU commended the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for what it described as historic contributions to the sector, particularly the full implementation of the Dual Mandate and the protection of revitalisation funding for Colleges of Education. According to the union, the reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development and quality education.
“No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers,” the union stated, adding that teacher education remains central to national development.
COEASU argued that regulatory agencies in Nigeria’s tertiary education system function best when led by professionals from within the sectors they supervise. It cited the examples of the National Universities Commission and the National Board for Technical Education, which traditionally appoint executive secretaries from the university and polytechnic systems respectively.
The union maintained that adopting a similar approach for the NCCE would promote fairness across the tertiary education landscape and help consolidate ongoing reforms in teacher education. It added that appointing a tested Colleges‑of‑Education professional would deepen implementation of the Dual Mandate Act, strengthen curriculum development, sustain revitalisation initiatives and enhance the overall quality of teacher training nationwide.
COEASU said it stands ready to work with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the next NCCE Executive Secretary possesses the experience and credibility required to move the sector forward. The union stressed that the stability of teacher education today would determine the strength of Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and broader economy in the future.
By Michael Oche, Abuja
