Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union criticises the Federal Government’s admission exemption policy for colleges of education, warning that lowering entry standards without proper consultation could damage Nigeria’s teacher training system.
COEASU National President Lawal Bazza says the union and other stakeholders are excluded from discussions before the policy announcement.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Bazza insists reforms affecting teacher education require broad consultation with unions and professional groups.
“Policies affecting teacher training should not be introduced without engaging critical stakeholders,” he says.
The union acknowledges the need to improve student enrolment in colleges of education but warns against policies capable of weakening academic quality and professional standards.
Bazza says the union supports reforms aimed at strengthening teacher education but maintains that policy implementation must follow a collaborative process.
He reveals that COEASU plans to convene an emergency meeting of its National Officers’ Council to determine the union’s official response to the development.
The union leader also expresses support for the implementation of the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023, which recognises the Nigeria Certificate in Education as the minimum qualification for teaching.
According to him, COEASU backs the proposed five-year teacher training structure under the dual-mandate system, arguing that the model would improve academic and professional preparation for future educators.
Bazza further discloses that the union recently concluded a renegotiation agreement with the Federal Government after years of discussions since the last agreement signed in 2010.
On labour issues, the union accuses some college administrators of intimidating lecturers over union participation and warns that poor salaries in several state-owned colleges could trigger industrial unrest.
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Korede Abdullah 
