Colleges of Education can be regarded as one of the ranks of higher educational institutions in Nigeria. The National Commission for Colleges of Education was established by Decree 13 (Now act) on the 17th of January, 1989 (later amended Act 12 of 1993). This commission was established to oversee and pursue excellent training for individuals seeking to pursue a career in the academics.
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List of Colleges of Education in Nigeria
The federal government made it a priority to have trained and qualified teachers as solid bedrock of good education in Nigeria. Therefore, these institutions were founded so as to train individuals to be certified teachers and lecturers.
In Nigeria, there are 82 colleges of education. 22 of these are established by the federal government, 14 are privately owned and 46 are states’ colleges of education.
Admission Requirements in Colleges of Education in Nigeria
The program offered by Colleges of Education is called the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). In order to be admitted for any course under this program, the following requirements must be met.
- A West African Senior Secondary School Certificate (WASSSC), a Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) or General Certificate in Education (GCE) ‘O’ Level with credit passes in 5 subjects which includes English Language.
Three of these passes must be at credit level at the same sitting or four credits obtained at two sittings.
It is advised that all subjects offered be relevant to the course the candidate wishes to study. If not, two of the subjects must be so.
Credits in English and/or Mathematics are required in many courses to meet departmental requirements.
Candidates must also enrol for and write the selection examination organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and meet the cut off marks set for Colleges of Education. In addition to this, some Colleges of Education may decide to administer their own elimination tests or interviews. This is legitimate according to the National Commission for Colleges of Education and must be passed in order to be admitted.
Below is a list of accredited Colleges of Education in Nigeria, their locations and years of establishment.
Federal Colleges of Education
Institution |
Year of establishment |
Location |
| Federal College of Education[3] | 1977 | Oyo |
| Federal College of Education[4] | 1987 | Asaba |
| Federal College of Education, Osiele | 1976 | Osiele-Abeokuta[5] |
| Federal College of Education, Kano[6][7] | 1961 | Kano City |
| Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu[8][9] | 1981 | Enugu |
| Federal College of Education, Okene[10] | 1974 | Kogi |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe[11] | 1977 | Gombe |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku[12][13] | 1989 | Rivers |
| Federal College of Education, Kontagora[14][15] | 1958 | Niger |
| Federal College of Education, Zaria[16] | 1962 | Zaria |
| Federal College of Education, Pankshin[17] | 1974 | Plateau |
| Alvan Ikoku College of Education[18] | 1963 | Owerri |
| Federal College of Education, Yola[19] | 1974 | Yola |
| Federal College of Education (Tech), Potiskum[20] | 1976 | Yobe |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau[21] | 1990 | Gusau |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka[22][23] | 1967 | Lagos |
| Federal College of Education, Kastina[24] | 1976 | Kastina |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi[25] | 1987 | Kano |
| Federal College of Education, Obudu[26][27] | 1983 | Cross Rivers |
| Adeyemi College of Education | 1964 | Ondo |
| Nigerian Army School of Education (NASE), Ilorin[28] | Ilorin | |
| Federal College of Education, Umunze[29] | 1989 | Anambra |
| Federal College of Education, Kano | Kano |
State colleges
State Colleges of Education
- Yusufu Bala Usman College (Legal and General Studies) Daura, Katsina State
- Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe
- Enugu State Technical College of Education in Enugu State
- Aminu Saleh College of Education, located in Azare, Bauchi State
- Taraba State College of Education, Taraba state
- Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin in Lagos State
- Imo State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma.
- Kwara State College of Education, Oro
- Kwara State Technical College of Education, Lafiagi
- Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin in Kwara state
- Tai Solarin College of Education, located in Omu-Ijebu, Ogun state
- College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti. Ekiti State.
- Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso in Kano state.
- Ozigis College of Education
- Adamawa State College of Education
Private Colleges of Education, years of establishment and location
| Institution | Year of establishment | Location |
| Piaget College of Education[30] | 2015 | Abeokuta |
| St. Augustine College of Education[31] | 1971 | Lagos |
| Our Saviour Institute of Science and Technology | 1989 | Enugu |
| Delar College of Education[32] | 1990 | Ibadan |
| Yewa Central College of Education[33] | 2004 | Ogun |
| Institute of Ecumenical Education, (Thinkers Corner), Enugu[34] | 190 | Enugu |
| Ansar-Ud-Deen College of Education | 1953 | Lagos |
| African Thinkers Community of Inquiry College of Education[37] | 1990 | Enugu |
| City College of Education, Mararaba[38] | Nasarawa | |
| Muftau Olanihun College of Education[39] | 2003 | Ibadan |
| Corner Stone College of Education | 200/ | Lagos |
| Muhyideen College of Education | 2007 | Ilorin |
| Bauchi Institute of Arabic & Islamic Studies | 1994 | Bauchi |
| Havard Wilson College of Education[40] | 2001 | Abia |
| College of Education, Offa[41] | 1987 | Kwara |
| Kinsey College of Education, Ilorin, Kwara State | 2010 | Ilorin |
General Challenges faced by Colleges of Educations in Nigeria
Underfunding
Just like all other ranks of the Higher Education system, a persisting problem remains the severe underfunding of educational institutions.
It has been noted that over the years, the Federal government has not significantly increased the allotment of the Nigerian government allocated to the educational systems. This is in spite of the increase in population, student numbers and cost of living.
In 2003, 8.21 percent of the total budget was allocated to the educational sector while in 2009, it was increased to 6.42 and to 8.7 percent in 2013.
In 2014, there was a significant increase in 2014 when allocations were increased to 10.7 but even this was doubted at the time with many wondering if it could be maintained considering the oil crisis of the Nation at that time.
Now, it is reported that the allocation of the Educational sector is less than 10 percent of the total budget.
The problem of Underfunding plays out in different ways. These include deteriorating conditions of infrastructures, outdated equipment and facilities, overcrowding in learning halls, laboratories and dormitories.
There is also the problem of fewer teachers to students. It is reported that the University of Lagos has a lecturer to student ratio as high as 1:114.
Under qualification of lecturers is also included. A report from 2012 has it that only 43 percent of Nigeria’s higher education teaching staff holds PhD degrees.
Lastly, strikes are now becoming a most usual occurrence at Nigerian Educational institutions. This causes a delay in graduations, disruption in the flow of learning for students and generally low trust in the Nigerian educational system.