FG plans conversion of colleges of education to universities, says minister

• The Federal Government is considering converting all federal colleges of education into universities of education due to declining enrollment
• Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasised the need for the transition, citing the inefficiency of the current model and comparisons with advanced countries
• The proposed changes align with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas and the 2024–2027 education roadmap

The Federal Government is considering a proposal to transform all federal colleges of education into universities of education. 

The development was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during his presentation at the 2025 budget defence session of the ministry before the joint House of Representatives Committees on Education at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Dr. Alausa explained that the move is motivated by students' declining interest in colleges of education, which has led to dwindling enrollment numbers. 

Some of these institutions currently have fewer than 1,000 students despite receiving budgetary allocations.

“Do we need these colleges of education? They don’t exist in countries like the United States of America and other advanced nations. Let us convert them to universities of education,” he said.

The minister noted that the 2025 budget aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight priority areas and the ministry’s roadmap for 2024–2027. 

The goal is to create more educational opportunities, enhance the safety of learning environments, equip teachers with globally competitive skills, and boost the capacity of tertiary institutions to develop a skilled workforce for national growth.

The education sector’s budget for the year is N2.5 trillion, allocated as follows:

• Ministry of Education: N348.3 billion
• Parastatals: N816.7 billion
• Polytechnics: N226.7 billion
• Colleges of Education: N139.3 billion
• Universities: N811.9 billion
• Unity Colleges: N171.6 billion
• UNESCO Paris: N3.1 billion

Dr. Alausa provided an overview of the federal education system, which includes:

• 54 federal universities (including four inter-university centres)
• 36 federal polytechnics
• 32 federal colleges of education
• 118 federal unity colleges categorised into conventional, sciences, and technical education.

The House Committee on University Education Chairman, Abubakar Hassan Fulata, assured the public that the committee would use its constitutional powers to minimise disruptions in academic activities and raise educational standards.

Fulata urged the ministry and its institutions to efficiently use allocated funds, emphasising that insufficient resources should not justify wasteful spending. 

He also warned heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) against ignoring legislative invitations, stressing the importance of accountability in line with the Constitution.

The proposal to convert colleges of education into universities of education is expected to spark significant debate as stakeholders consider its implications for Nigeria’s education system.

Reps push for establishment of Bola Tinubu University

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the House of Representatives in Nigeria took a significant step towards establishing a new higher institution, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages. 

The university, once established, would focus on promoting the learning and development of Nigerian languages and cultures.