By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, has called on the Federal Government to appoint a seasoned professional from within the colleges of education system as the next Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, warning that the stability of Nigeria’s teacher education hinges on the decision.

COEASU ,in a statement signed by its President, Dr. Lawan Ahmed Lawan, said the expiration of the current Executive Secretary’s tenure in March presents a critical opportunity to consolidate ongoing reforms in the sector.

The union commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for what it described as “historic contributions” to teacher education, particularly the full implementation of the Dual Mandate and the protection of revitalisation funding for colleges of education.

According to COEASU, these reforms align squarely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development, quality education, and institutional efficiency.

“Teacher education sits at the heart of this vision because no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers,” the statement read.

The union stressed that continuity, stability, and credibility are essential at this pivotal moment, arguing that Nigeria’s regulatory agencies perform best when led by professionals drawn from the sectors they regulate.

It cited the National Universities Commission (NUC), which consistently appoints Executive Secretaries from the university system, and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which has similarly benefited from polytechnic-rooted leadership, as precedents that have ensured insider expertise, stakeholder confidence, and policy consistency.

“It is therefore both proper and consistent with national precedent that the next Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education should come from the Colleges of Education sector,” COEASU stated.

The union maintained that such an appointment would not only promote fairness across Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape but also guarantee the stability required to deepen implementation of the Dual Mandate Act, strengthen curriculum development, sustain revitalisation efforts, and improve the overall quality of teacher training nationwide.

COEASU further described the potential appointment of a tested Colleges-of-Education professional as a defining milestone in the Minister’s tenure, noting that it would cement his legacy as the leader who stabilised teacher education and reinforced Nigeria’s human capital foundation.

The union pledged its readiness to work with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the next NCCE Executive Secretary possesses the experience, credibility, and institutional understanding necessary to sustain reforms and advance teacher education in line with national development goals.

“Nigeria’s future depends on the quality of her teachers. The stability of teacher education today will determine the strength of our universities, polytechnics, industries, and national economy tomorrow,” the statement said.