Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to upgrade the Federal College of Education (FCE) in Yola to a Federal University of Education, a move intended to enhance educator preparation and deliver higher-caliber teachers nationwide.
Governor Fintiri made the appeal on Saturday during the institution’s 16th Combined Convocation Ceremony in Yola, where he was represented by his Deputy, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to educational development, stressing that the state remains focused on implementing policies aimed at improving access to quality education and working towards the 26 per cent budgetary allocation benchmark for education commonly associated with UNESCO.
He noted that the administration has introduced several people-oriented policies to revitalise the education sector through increased funding, institutional strengthening and improved learning opportunities.
According to him, the government has also made significant investments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), introducing student-friendly programmes designed to equip young people with essential skills for a technology-driven economy.
The Governor further highlighted initiatives targeting youth empowerment, including business grants, startup incubation programmes and mentorship opportunities.
He disclosed that the state government had introduced the Adamawa State Teacher Recruitment, Deployment and Retention Policy to strengthen teacher education and align the state’s educational system with 21st-century demands.
He consequently urged the institution to align its programmes with relevant education policies to enhance teacher training and professional development.
Earlier, the Provost of FCE Yola, Mohammed Usman Degereji, disclosed that the institution graduated 3,555 students, comprising 1,818 from the 2024 academic session and 1,737 from 2025.
He explained that the graduands had satisfied the academic and character requirements for the award of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).
Degereji encouraged educational institutions and other stakeholders to make effective use of the graduates’ skills and knowledge, noting that several had distinguished themselves through outstanding academic performance.
He added that more than 200 academic staff members had participated in national and international conferences under his leadership as part of efforts to improve teaching standards and academic excellence.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, represented by Dr. Uchenna Uba, Director of Colleges of Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of education sector personnel.
She highlighted the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a Federal Government initiative designed to provide financial assistance and improve the welfare of staff in tertiary institutions.
What You Should Know
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s appeal focuses on transforming FCE Yola into a degree-awarding federal university to strengthen the foundation of the nation’s educational system and improve instructor qualifications.
- Positive Impact: Upgrading the institution could expand access to higher education degrees for prospective teachers, boost local academic infrastructure, and elevate overall teaching standards in the region.
- Potential Concerns: Transitioning the college requires substantial federal funding, logistical restructuring, and careful resource management to ensure existing programs and students are not disrupted during the process.
