The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the full implementation of degree programmes in Colleges of Education and introduced a ₦30,000 monthly stipend for students during teaching practice under a new agreement with the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).
The development is part of the key outcomes of the 2026 renegotiated agreement between the government and COEASU aimed at strengthening teacher education and improving student welfare.
President of COEASU, Ahmed Lawan Bazza, disclosed this in a briefing to members of the union following the conclusion of negotiations with the Federal Government.
Bazza said the agreement strengthened the dual mandate of Colleges of Education, allowing them to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree qualifications.
He added that the minimum duration for degree programmes in Colleges of Education had been fixed at five years, in line with new academic reforms.
According to him, the development will enhance the capacity of Colleges of Education to produce qualified teachers and improve the overall standard of teacher education in the country.
“The strengthening of the dual mandate for Colleges of Education to award both NCE and degree programmes represents a major milestone in repositioning the subsector,” he said.
He explained that the agreement also emphasised closer collaboration between the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure smooth implementation of degree programmes across institutions.
₦30,000 Teaching Practice stipend approved
On student welfare, Bazza said the Federal Government approved a ₦30,000 monthly stipend for students undergoing teaching practice.
He described the move as a significant intervention to ease the financial burden on student-teachers during field training.
According to him, the stipend will support students with transportation, accommodation and other logistics associated with teaching practice exercises.
“The approval of ₦30,000 monthly stipend for students during teaching practice is a major step toward supporting teacher trainees and improving participation in practical teaching,” he said.
He added that the agreement also provides for sustained and improved funding support for teaching practice activities, including supervision logistics.
Professorial cadre, funding reforms included
Bazza further disclosed that the agreement approved the establishment of a professorial cadre in Colleges of Education to enhance career progression and address brain drain among academic staff.
He said the government also committed to improved funding through budgetary allocations, needs assessment funding and interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
According to him, a ₦15 billion Stabilisation Fund will be established to support Colleges of Education over a three-year period from 2026 to 2028.
Governance, monitoring provisions introduced
The COEASU president noted that the agreement included governance reforms such as full implementation of the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023 and the adoption of democratic processes in appointing Heads of Department.
He added that visitation panels would be reconstituted with union representation, while an implementation monitoring committee would be established to ensure compliance with the agreement.
Bazza urged members of the union to remain united and committed to ensuring the faithful implementation of the agreement.
He described the pact as a significant milestone in improving staff welfare, institutional stability and the repositioning of Colleges of Education in Nigeria.
The agreement is expected to be reviewed every three years, with the next renegotiation scheduled for 2029, in line with evolving needs in the education sector.
