Koko Maxwella 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) urges the Federal Government to appoint an experienced professional from within the colleges of education system as the next head of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
In a statement issued in Abuja on wednesday, COEASU President Ahmed Lawan says an insider appointment will ensure stability and continuity as the tenure of the current executive secretary ends in March 2026. He argues that teacher education reforms risk disruption if leadership lacks firsthand sector experience.
“Regulatory bodies function best when led by those who understand the system from within,” Lawan says.
He points to precedents at the National Universities Commission and the National Board for Technical Education, where leadership drawn from within the sector strengthens stakeholder confidence and policy consistency.
Lawan commended the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for implementing the dual-mandate policy and protecting revitalisation funds for colleges, describing the reforms as aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s education agenda.
“It is therefore proper that the next NCCE executive secretary should come from the colleges of education sector,” he adds.
COEASU says such an appointment will deepen curriculum reforms, strengthen implementation of the Dual Mandate Act and sustain ongoing revitalisation efforts. The union pledges full cooperation with government and stakeholders to advance teacher training nationwide, describing strong teacher education as critical to national development.
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Korede Abdullah 
