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The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a competency-based digital curriculum across colleges of education nationwide as part of efforts to produce digitally skilled and globally competitive teachers.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Angela Ajala, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday during activities marking her first 100 days in office.
Ajala said the reform agenda was designed to modernise teacher education, strengthen digital literacy, promote skills acquisition and enhance the quality of teacher preparation in the country.
She described teacher education as the foundation of all professions, stressing that improving teacher training would positively impact the nation’s future.
According to her, the commission is collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders to finalise a new curriculum that places greater emphasis on competencies, practical skills and digital learning rather than excessive theoretical content.
“We are tightening our curriculum and working with stakeholders to ensure that the standards and quality meet global expectations.
“After that, we are going to digitise the curriculum in such a way that every student can access and benefit from it. Every teacher will be digitally skilled going forward,” she said.
Ajala explained that the proposed curriculum would support self-paced learning, remote teaching and technology-enabled instruction, allowing students to continue learning regardless of location.
She said students would be able to access learning modules, watch instructional videos, undertake assessments and complete projects independently through digital platforms.
“The curriculum is competency-based. It is no longer the overly theoretical model we used to have.
“A teacher can teach from anywhere in the world, and a student can learn from anywhere. That is the future we are building,” she added.
The NCCE boss disclosed that the commission was partnering with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to integrate digital literacy into teacher education programmes nationwide.
She added that skills acquisition would form a key component of the new framework, enabling graduates to leave colleges of education with practical competencies alongside academic qualifications.
Ajala also defended ongoing reforms affecting the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), saying they were necessary to reposition teacher education and promote inclusive access.
She noted that the commission was engaging persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to ensure that the reforms reflect principles of inclusion and equal opportunity.
“Everybody must be part of this transformation. Education should not exclude anyone,” she said.
The executive secretary, however, identified inadequate funding as a major challenge confronting colleges of education and the commission.
She said partnerships with development agencies and other stakeholders had helped sustain some of the commission’s initiatives, including the ongoing curriculum review process.
Ajala commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, for supporting reforms aimed at improving the education sector.
On the implementation of the dual-mandate policy, which permits colleges of education to award both NCE certificates and bachelor’s degrees, she said the rollout would be gradual and begin with selected institutions.
According to her, state-owned colleges would require legislative approval before adopting the policy, while institutions would retain the option of continuing with NCE programmes only.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Committee of Provosts of Federal Colleges of Education, Dr Ademola Salami, described Ajala’s first 100 days in office as a turning point for teacher education in Nigeria.
Salami said her leadership had introduced renewed energy and direction to the sector through reforms focused on digitalisation, curriculum review and professionalisation of teaching.
He noted that work on the new curriculum was already progressing and would incorporate entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, digital pedagogy and other innovative approaches required in contemporary education.
Also speaking, the Director of Information and Corporate Services of the NCCE, Mr Arinze Ukeje, said Ajala’s first 100 days had been characterised by extensive stakeholder engagements aimed at improving the quality of teacher education across the country.
Ajala assumed office in March 2026 amid growing concerns over declining enrolment in colleges of education, teacher shortages and calls for reforms to improve teacher preparation nationwide.
The NCCE is the federal regulatory agency responsible for setting standards, accrediting programmes and coordinating teacher education in colleges of education across Nigeria.
