FG Approves Degree Programme for FCE Odugbo, Directs NUC Resource Assessment
By Tony Enokela
The Federal Government has taken a decisive step toward expanding degree-level teacher education as the Federal Ministry of Education approved the Federal College of Education (FCE), Odugbo, Benue State, to commence preparations for offering degree programmes under the Dual Mandate framework.
In an official letter dated February 25, 2026, and signed by the Director of Colleges of Education, Dr. U. C. Uba, the Ministry confirmed that the college has satisfied the mandatory five-year operational requirement stipulated in the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, thereby qualifying it to begin the degree component of the Dual Mandate Programme.
Following this approval, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has been formally requested to conduct a comprehensive resource assessment visit to the institution to evaluate its readiness to run degree programmes.
The Ministry directed the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Prof. Joel Eriba, to ensure that all academic, administrative, infrastructural, and staffing requirements are fully in place ahead of the assessment.
Areas highlighted for strict compliance include approved curriculum standards, availability of qualified lecturers, adequacy of classrooms and laboratories, library resources, governance structures, and quality assurance mechanisms.
The college has also been urged to grant the NUC assessment team full cooperation to guarantee a smooth and successful evaluation exercise.
Describing the process as one that demands urgency and seriousness, the Ministry noted that the move aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening teacher education and expanding access to university degrees within the colleges of education system.
Dr. Uba conveyed the warm regards of the Minister of Education, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the quality and reach of higher education across the country.
