The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union has urged the federal government to appoint a seasoned professional from within the system as the next executive secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education.

In a statement on Wednesday, COEASU president Ahmed Lawan said the move would ensure continuity and stability in ongoing reforms in teacher education.

Mr Lawan said the tenure of the current executive secretary would end in March 2026, making it necessary to sustain reforms within the system.

He commended the education minister, Tunji Alausa, for implementing the dual mandate policy and protecting revitalisation funds for colleges of education.

He said the reforms aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises human capital development and quality education.

According to him, teacher education remains central to national development because no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers.

The COEASU president said regulatory agencies performed better when led by professionals from the sectors they supervised.

He cited the examples of the National Universities Commission and the National Board for Technical Education, which he said benefited from insider leadership.

“The NUC has consistently drawn its executive secretaries from the university system, while the NBTE has similarly benefited from leadership rooted in the polytechnic sector.

“This practice has ensured insider understanding, stakeholder confidence, and policy continuity. It is therefore both proper and consistent with national precedent that the next executive secretary of NCCE should come from the colleges of education sector.

“Such a decision will not only promote fairness across Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape but also ensure the stability required to consolidate ongoing reforms,” he said.

Mr Lawan added that such an appointment would also strengthen the implementation of the Dual Mandate Act, deepen curriculum development and sustain revitalisation initiatives.

He said the union was ready to work with the government and stakeholders to consolidate reforms in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged stakeholders to support a decision that would enhance stability, fairness and national development through improved teacher education.

(NAN)