The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has called on the Federal Government to appoint a professional from within the Colleges of Education system as the next Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), as the tenure of the current leadership ends in March 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its President, Dr. Lawan A. Lawan, the union advocated continuity in leadership to sustain ongoing reforms in the colleges of education sector.
COEASU argued that appointing an insider would consolidate reforms, strengthen institutional stability, and ensure policy continuity at a critical period in the implementation of the Dual Mandate Act.
The union commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for what it described as historic contributions to the sector, particularly his commitment to the full implementation of the Dual Mandate and protection of revitalisation funding for Colleges of Education.
According to the statement, the minister’s actions have rekindled hope across campuses and restored confidence in Nigeria’s teacher-training institutions.
COEASU noted that the reforms align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development, quality education, and institutional efficiency.
“Teacher education sits at the heart of this vision because no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers,” the union stated.
It stressed that continuity, stability, and credibility in leadership were essential to sustaining the reform momentum.
Drawing comparisons across the tertiary education system, COEASU observed that regulatory agencies function most effectively when led by professionals from within the sectors they supervise.
It cited the example of the National Universities Commission, which has consistently drawn its Executive Secretaries from the university system, and the National Board for Technical Education, which has benefited from leadership rooted in the polytechnic sector.
According to the union, this practice has ensured insider understanding, stakeholder confidence, and policy continuity.
“It is therefore both proper and consistent with national precedent that the next Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education should come from the Colleges of Education sector,” COEASU stated.
The union added that appointing a Colleges-of-Education professional would deepen implementation of the Dual Mandate Act, strengthen curriculum development, sustain revitalisation initiatives, and improve the quality of teacher education nationwide.
COEASU pledged its readiness to work with the government and other stakeholders to consolidate reforms and ensure effective implementation.
“Nigeria’s future depends on the quality of its teachers. The stability of teacher education today will determine the strength of our universities, polytechnics, industries, and national economy tomorrow,” the statement added.
