Council Hails Upgrade of Four Colleges of Education to Universities

in Abuja The Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Colleges of Education (CoEs) in Nigeria have hailed the decision of the Federal Government to upgrade four CoEs to Universities of Education, describing the development as response to the yearnings of the people.

The institutions: Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Federal College of Education, Zaria and Federal College of Education, Kano are now Federal Universities of Education after approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday.

The Governing Councils have been in the forefront of the campaign for the upgrade of the institutions since their inauguration, on grounds that the institutions have more than enough doctorate degree holders as lecturers, and adequate infrastructure.

Alvan Ikoku CoE, for example reportedly had over 180 Phd holders as lecturers.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Committee of Chairmen of Governing Councils, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, the councils noted that the pronouncement could not have come at a more austere time.

“The magnanimity of the Federal Government in general and that of the Federal Ministry of Education in particular is truly appreciated by the entire members of the Committee and the Colleges of Education Community for this laudable development by which we are further assured of the government’s drive for production of quality Teacher Educators in Nigeria,” it read.

The Councils however noted that it is necessary that the upgraded institutions be properly funded to ensure them contribute adequately to teacher education as intended. “Once again, we wish to collectively congratulate and felicitate with the four Colleges of Education for the feat attained,” it added.