The Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola, is set to commence its own degree programmes following approval by the Federal Government.
This development follows the amendment of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) Act, which was signed into law in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The amended Act mandates 15 Colleges of Education across the country, including FCE Yola, to run both NCE and degree programmes independently, thereby ending their long-standing affiliations with universities.
Speaking at a press conference in Yola, the Provost of the College, Dr. Muhammad Usman Degereji, disclosed that FCE Yola will begin offering degree programmes in the 2025/2026 academic session, bringing to an end its 14-year affiliation with the University of Maiduguri.
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Dr. Degereji explained that candidates who initially applied for degree programmes under the former affiliation arrangement must return to the JAMB portal to effect a change of institution, switching from “FCE Yola (Affiliated)” to FCE Yola Degree Programmes.
“The Federal Government, in its wisdom and commitment to stabilising the education sector, amended the NCE Act, which was signed into law in 2023. The new Act mandates Colleges of Education, including FCE Yola, to offer both NCE and degree programmes. This is the basis for this press conference,” he said.
He further clarified that students currently in 200 level who were admitted under the affiliation with the University of Maiduguri will be allowed to complete their programmes and graduate under that arrangement.
However, he stressed that new admissions into degree programmes will no longer be under any university affiliation, and certificates issued will bear the name of the Federal College of Education, Yola, not the University of Maiduguri.
According to the Provost, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 38 courses for the institution. However, the college has decided to commence with 14 degree programmes, an increase from the nine courses previously offered under the affiliation.
Dr. Degereji also announced that the college will admit students into both NCE and degree programmes simultaneously.
