Alayande varsity VC, Prof. ‘Lanre Olaniyan, marks two years in office as FCC Chairman, Prof. ‘Tunji Olaopa, advocates dual-mode upgrade for colleges of education

Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, was abuzz with academic and administrative pride as it marked a significant milestone – the second anniversary of Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan as Vice Chancellor of the institution.

The event was held in grand style, highlighted by the second Distinguished Personality Lecture, delivered by Professor ‘Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission and renowned scholar of Public Administration.

In a lecture that stirred deep reflection within Nigeria’s educational sector, Prof. Olaopa called for a transformative overhaul of teacher education in the country. Specifically, he advocated for a dual-mode model that integrates the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programmes within Universities of Education.

Quoting from a statement by the university’s Media and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeoye, Olaopa emphasized the urgency of preserving and revitalizing the NCE as a foundational teacher qualification while embedding it within a university structure that enables seamless academic progression.

“It is imperative to institutionalize the dual NCE and B.Ed. mode as a pragmatic and sustainable model for teacher training,” Olaopa asserted. “Abandoning the NCE system in favour of only B.Ed. degrees would be counterproductive and detrimental to the development of Nigeria’s education sector.”

According to the former Federal Permanent Secretary, the real issue lies not in replacing the NCE, but in repositioning it through curriculum innovation that balances theoretical knowledge with practical teaching skills. He warned that yielding to the increasing demand for four-year straight B.Ed. degrees may lead to the eventual extinction of NCE programmes, thereby undermining the training of practically grounded teachers.

“I hope that what we are witnessing is not a subtle replacement of NCE by B.Ed. degrees, driven by societal preference for university qualifications,” he said. “Rather, Colleges of Education that have transitioned into universities should aim to preserve NCE as a critical first step in a two-tier teacher education system.”

He proposed that NCE holders should be given automatic progression into B.Ed. programmes within the same institution, ensuring continuity and upward mobility without sacrificing the hands-on skills the NCE fosters.

Highlighting broader systemic issues, Prof. Olaopa pointed to persistent underfunding, political interference, deteriorating infrastructure, and the lack of reliable data as major hindrances to the effectiveness of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

“Unless we resolve the binding constraint of inadequate funding and stop politicizing education policy, Nigeria’s aspiration for national development through education will remain elusive,” he cautioned.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof. ‘Lanre Olaniyan celebrated the remarkable strides the university has made within two years of its transition from a College of Education to a University of Education. He announced that the institution now offers over 50 academic programmes and has grown its student population to more than 5,000.

Prof. Olaniyan expressed profound gratitude to the Visitor to the University and Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, for his trust and vision in appointing him as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor. He also acknowledged the steady support of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Emeritus Professor Ayoade Olayiwola Ogunkunle, other Council members, staff, and students of the university.

“The last two years have been both challenging and rewarding,” he noted. “With the support of our academic and administrative team, we’ve laid a strong foundation for the university’s future. I especially thank Professor Tunji Olaopa for honoring us as the Guest Lecturer and for delivering such a thought-provoking presentation.”

The lecture and anniversary celebration not only highlighted the achievements of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education under its current leadership, but also opened up new national conversations on the future of teacher training in Nigeria – a discourse that may shape policy directions in years to come.