List of COEs Converted to Federal Universities of Education: A Comprehensive Overview

Nigeria’s education sector is undergoing significant reforms to strengthen teacher training and align with global standards. A key initiative is the conversion of select Federal Colleges of Education (COEs) into Federal Universities of Education. This transformation aims to elevate teacher education quality, address teacher shortages, and expand access to higher education. This article explores the Colleges of Education in Nigeria converted to Federal Universities of Education, their current names, historical context, current status, and broader implications.

The Role of Colleges of Education in Nigeria

Colleges of Education are tertiary institutions in Nigeria dedicated to training professional teachers for primary and junior secondary education. They award the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), a three-year program qualifying graduates to teach or pursue further studies. According to the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Nigeria has approximately 205 accredited COEs, including 27 federal, 82 private, and 54 state-owned colleges as of 2024.

Despite their critical role, COEs face challenges like inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure, and the perception that NCE qualifications are less prestigious than university degrees. These issues prompted the government to convert select federal COEs into Federal Universities of Education to enhance their capacity and relevance.

Rationale for Converting Colleges of Education to Federal Universities of Education

The conversion of COEs into Federal Universities of Education is driven by several objectives:

• Elevating Teacher Training: Universities of Education offer advanced programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, producing highly skilled educators.
• Addressing Teacher Shortages: Nigeria faces a shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in rural areas, and these universities aim to increase educator supply.
• Global Alignment: Specialized teacher education universities, like those in the USA and Europe, set a benchmark Nigeria seeks to emulate.
• Expanding Higher Education Access: Conversions create additional university spaces for students seeking degree-level qualifications.
• Improving Funding and Infrastructure: As federal universities, these institutions are expected to receive increased government funding for facilities and faculty.
• Reducing Stigma: Upgrading COEs to universities enhances their prestige, attracting high-quality candidates to teaching.

List of Colleges of Education Converted to Federal Universities of Education and Their Current Names

The Nigerian government has initiated the conversion of several Federal Colleges of Education into Federal Universities of Education, with some already operating under new names. The process involves legislative approval, stakeholder consultations, and infrastructure upgrades. Below is a list of COEs converted or in the process of conversion, with their current names as of April 2025, based on policy announcements and posts on X. Anchor links from schoolings.org are embedded for each institution to provide detailed references.

1. Former Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, Imo State

• Current Name: Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri
• Historical Context: Established in 1963, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education is one of Nigeria’s oldest COEs, named after educator Alvan Ikoku. It has a strong legacy of producing quality teachers.
• Conversion Status: Upgraded to a Federal University of Education in 2015 but reverted due to funding issues. Recent 2024 stakeholder engagements confirm its conversion, with operations as Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education.
• Programs and Facilities: Offers NCE programs and degree programs in affiliation with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. As a university, it will expand to include undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in education and related fields.
• Location: Owerri, Imo State, South-East Nigeria.
• Impact: Strengthens teacher training in the South-East, addressing regional demand for educators.

2. Former Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State

• Current Name: Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo
• Historical Context: Founded in 1964, Adeyemi College of Education is a leading COE with a history of excellence, affiliated with Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, for degree programs.
• Conversion Status: On the 20th of October, 2023, Adeyemi College of Education Ondo (ACEONDO) was converted to a university of education as approved by the NUC and renamed Adeyemi Federal College of Education, Ondo.
• Programs and Facilities: Offers NCE and degree programs in sciences, arts, and vocational education. As a university, it plans to introduce advanced research and international partnerships.
• Location: Ondo, Ondo State, South-West Nigeria.
• Impact: Enhances teacher education in the South-West, a region with many educational institutions.

3. Former Federal College of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State

• Current Name: Federal University of Education, Zaria
• Historical Context: Established in 1962, Federal College of Education, Zaria is one of Northern Nigeria’s oldest COEs, focusing on basic education teacher training.
• Conversion Status: Identified for conversion due to its strategic location. In May 2025, FCOE Zaria was converted to a Federal University of Education and renamed Federal University of Education, Zaria, effective from the 2025/2026 session.
• Programs and Facilities: Offers NCE programs and degree programs in affiliation with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. As a university, it will offer specialized education degrees and research programs.
• Location: Zaria, Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.
• Impact: Addresses the teacher shortage in Northern Nigeria, where educational access is limited.

4. Former Federal College of Education, Kano

• Current Name: Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano
• Historical Context: Founded in 1961, Federal College of Education, Kano is a key institution in Northern Nigeria, known for its contributions to teacher education.
• Conversion Status: On the 14th of August, 2024 the NUC confirm its conversion to the Federal University of Education, Kano, later renamed Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education in honor of the late Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule. The transition began in the 2025/2026 session.
• Programs and Facilities: Offers NCE programs and degree programs in affiliation with Bayero University, Kano. As a university, it will include advanced education degrees and digital skills training.
• Location: Kano, Kano State, North-West Nigeria.
• Impact: Improves teacher quality in the North-West, supporting regional educational development.

5. Former Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State

• Current Name: Federal University of Education, Pankshin
• Historical Context: Established in 1974, Federal College of Education, Pankshin has trained teachers for the North-Central region.
• Conversion Status: In 2022, the NUC  confirms its conversion to the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, effective from the 2024-2025 academic session.
• Programs and Facilities: Offers NCE programs and will introduce degree programs in education, focusing on regional needs.
• Location: Pankshin, Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria.
• Impact: Enhances teacher training in the North-Central region, addressing educational disparities.

6. Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State (Adopted as Federal University)

• Current Name: Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun
• Historical Context: Established on the 29th of January 2005 as a state university, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) specializes in teacher education.
• Conversion Status: On the 28th of November, 2005 the NUC officially approved and adopted TASUED as a Federal University of Education, renaming it Tai Solarin Federal University of Education. This is an adoption rather than a conversion from a COE, reflecting its existing education focus.
• Programs and Facilities: Offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in education. As a federal university, it will expand research and international partnerships.
• Location: Ijagun, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria.
• Impact: Strengthens teacher education in the South-West, leveraging TASUED’s reputation.

Other Important Details

Legislative and Administrative Framework

The conversion process involves:

• Legislative Approval: The National Assembly passes bills to formalize conversions, as seen with Kano and Zaria.
• Funding: The government allocates funds for infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and program development.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Consultations with academic staff, students, and communities ensure smooth transitions. A 2024 NCCE and NUC meeting outlined the dual mandate strategy.
• Dual Mandate: Starting in the 2025/2026 session, some institutions offer both NCE and degree programs during the transition.

Challenges and Considerations

The conversion faces hurdles:

• Funding: Nigeria’s education sector is underfunded, impacting university development.
• Faculty Capacity: Hiring faculty with advanced qualifications is challenging due to shortages.
• Infrastructure: Many COEs lack university-standard facilities, requiring significant investment.
• Resistance: Academic staff unions may resist due to job security and workload concerns.
• Regional Equity: Conversions must be distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to avoid disparities.

Broader Implications

The establishment of Federal Universities of Education has significant implications:

• Improved Educational Outcomes: Better-trained teachers will address Nigeria’s 20 million out-of-school children crisis.
• Economic Growth: Increased access to university education will produce a skilled workforce.
• Global Competitiveness: Alignment with international standards positions Nigeria as an educational leader in Africa.
• Community Development: Host communities benefit from job creation and infrastructure improvements.

In summary, the conversion of Colleges of Education into Federal Universities of Education is a landmark reform for Nigeria’s education sector. Institutions like Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Federal University of Education, Zaria, Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Federal University of Education, Pankshin, and Tai Solarin Federal University of Education are leading this transformation. These universities leverage their legacies and strategic locations to train educators for Nigeria’s challenges.

Despite challenges like funding and infrastructure, the benefits—improved teacher quality, expanded higher education access, and global alignment—are profound. Continued collaboration among the government, NCCE, NUC, and stakeholders will ensure success. By investing in these Federal Universities of Education, Nigeria is building a foundation for a brighter educational future, empowering its youth to thrive globally.