The Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, has officially commenced its independent degree awarding programmes, bringing to an end years of running degree courses through affiliations with other universities.
The Provost of the institution, Dr Rafiu Soyele, made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Council Chamber as part of activities marking the college’s 50th Founders’ Day Anniversary and its 26th Combined Convocation.
Dr Soyele disclosed that the college has received approval to run 29 degree programmes and has already admitted over 400 prospective students across the newly approved courses.
He explained that the development followed a directive by the Federal Government mandating all Federal Colleges of Education accredited to award degrees to operate independently.
According to him, the college previously ran affiliated degree programmes with the University of Ibadan, a partnership he described as impactful and productive.
“We had affiliations with institutions such as the University of Ibadan, which produced about ten sets of graduates. However, a directive has been issued that all Colleges of Education mandated to commence degree programmes must operate independently. This is why affiliate centres no longer run 100-level programmes,” Soyele said.
He commended the University of Ibadan for its years of support, noting that the collaboration produced thousands of well trained and qualified teachers who are contributing meaningfully to the education sector across the country.
The provost also revealed that a total of 2,361 students would graduate during the combined convocation for the 2022 2023 and 2023 2024 academic sessions. He stated that 1,330 students would be graduating from the 2022 2023 session, while 1,031 students are from the 2023 2024 session.
Soyele advised parents and guardians to avoid enrolling their wards in affiliated degree programmes, urging them instead to take advantage of the college’s fully accredited independent degree programmes.
“For those pursuing doctoral programmes, options remain. But for degree programmes, the choice is clear. Study at Federal Colleges of Education.
“We have brilliant and qualified lecturers.” For our degree programmes alone, we already have over 600 students, with more than 400 currently active in the system,” he added.
He cautioned that the institution might face pressure on space and facilities in the next three to four years if proactive planning is not undertaken, adding that the college is already adopting sustainable development models inspired by international best practices.
“In the next three to four years, we may face pressure on space and facilities if proactive measures are not taken. This is why we are adopting models such as the German system, which emphasises planning, networking, phased expansion, and sustainability,” Soyele said.
Reaffirming the college’s mission, the provost stressed that teacher education remains central to national development, describing the profession as the backbone of any progressive society.
“No nation can attain sustainable growth without investing heavily in teacher education and human capacity development,” he stated.
Soyele further disclosed that FCE Abeokuta currently has over 170 PhD holders across its departments, a development he said reflects the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and global standards.
Established in 1976 as a Federal Advanced Teachers College, FCE Abeokuta is the first tertiary institution in Ogun State. Over the years, it has expanded its programmes to include the Nigeria Certificate in Education and specialised teacher training courses tailored to national manpower needs.
Activities lined up for the 50th Founders’ Day Anniversary and 26th Combined Convocation include the conferment of College and Fellowship Awards on distinguished Nigerians. Those to be honoured include the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Daisi Elemide, juju music legend turned evangelist Ebenezer Obey, art patron Yemisi Shyllon, former Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Aminu Bello Masari, and the Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Mrs Ronke Soyombo.
