Teaching can begin through more than one academic route. A college may offer the Nigeria Certificate in Education, while a university or affiliated programme awards a bachelor’s degree. Understanding that difference helps you apply to the right institution and plan your next step.
This overview of colleges of education in Nigeria explains ownership, qualifications, admission checks and how to verify a school. It uses current regulator directories as the starting point rather than relying on copied lists.
Full List of Colleges of Education in Nigeria
The live NCCE directory contains 264 accredited entries. The directory covers federal, state and private colleges, polytechnics that offer NCE programmes, and other approved NCE-awarding institutions. The complete list comes first so readers can compare real options before reading the admission guidance.
Colleges of Education in Nigeria are grouped below by the ownership or institution type shown in the NCCE register. A listing confirms the institution’s place in the directory, but applicants should still confirm the exact course, campus and current admission notice.
Federal Colleges (27)
| Institution | State |
|---|---|
| Federal College of Education Ofeme-Ohuhu | Abia |
| Federal College of Education, Yola | Adamawa |
| Federal College of Education, Ididep | Akwa Ibom |
| Federal College of Education (T), Umunze | Anambra |
| Federal College of Education Bauchi | Bauchi |
| Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Benue State | Benue |
| Federal College of Education (FCE) Gwoza | Borno |
| Federal College of Education, Obudu | Cross River |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba | Delta |
| Federal College of Education (T), ISU Ebonyi State | Ebonyi |
| Federal College of Education Edo | Edo |
| Federal College of Education Ilawe-Ekiti | Ekiti |
| Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu | Enugu |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe | Gombe |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi | Kano |
| Federal College of Education, Katsina | Katsina |
| Federal College of Education (Technical) in Yauri | Kebbi |
| Federal College of Education, Okene | Kogi |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka | Lagos |
| Federal College Of Education(Technical), Keana | Nasarawa |
| Federal College of Education, Abeokuta | Ogun |
| Federal College of Education Osun | Osun |
| Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo | Oyo |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku | Rivers |
| Federal College of Education Sokoto | Sokoto |
| Federal College of Education (Tech), Potiskum | Yobe |
| Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau | Zamfara |
State And Fct Colleges (50)
| Institution | State |
|---|---|
| College of Education, Arochukwu, Abia | Abia |
| Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afahansit | Akwa Ibom |
| Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe | Anambra |
| A.D. Rufa’i College of Education, Legal and General Studies | Bauchi |
| Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education, Kangere | Bauchi |
| Aminu Sale College of Education, Azare | Bauchi |
| College of Education (Technical), Dass | Bauchi |
| Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama | Bayelsa |
| College of Education Oju | Benue |
| College of Education, katsina-Ala | Benue |
| College of Education, Waka BIU | Borno |
| Kashim Ibrahim College of Education | Borno |
| Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science and Technology, Bama | Borno |
| Cross River State Coll. of Education, Akampa | Cross River |
| College of Education, Warri | Delta |
| Delta State College of Education, Mosogar | Delta |
| Ebonyi State College of Education, (T) Ikwo | Ebonyi |
| Edo State College of Education, Igueben | Edo |
| College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti | Ekiti |
| Enugu State Coll. of Education (T), Enugu | Enugu |
| FCT College of Education, Zuba | FCT Abuja |
| College of Education, Billiri | Gombe |
| Gombe State College of Education, NAFADA | Gombe |
| Benjamin Uwajumogu (State) College of Education, Ihitte Uboma | Imo |
| JIGAWA STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND LEGAL STUDIES, RINGIM | Jigawa |
| Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel | Jigawa |
| Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan-Waya, Kafanchan | Kaduna |
| Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies (KASCEPTS) | Kano |
| Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, Kano | Kano |
| Yusuf Maitama Sule College of Education and Lege Studeis, Ghari | Kano |
| Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma | Katsina |
| Yusuf Bala Usman College of Education and Legal Studies, Daura | Katsina |
| Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu | Kebbi |
| Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa | Kogi |
| Kogi State College of Education, Kabba | Kogi |
| College of Education Oro | Kwara |
| College of Education llorin | Kwara |
| Kwara State College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi | Kwara |
| College of Education Akwanga | Nasarawa |
| Niger State College of Education, Minna | Niger |
| Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu-Ajose | Ogun |
| College of Education, Ila-Orangun, Osun State | Osun |
| Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate | Oyo |
| College of Education, Gindiri | Plateau |
| Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto | Sokoto |
| College of Education, Zing | Taraba |
| College of Education and Legal Studies, Nguru | Yobe |
| Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua | Yobe |
| College of Education, Hong | Yola |
| Zamfara State College of Education, Maru | Zamfara |
Private Colleges (168)
| Institution | State |
|---|---|
| Covenant College of Education (CCOE) | Abia |
| DIAMOND COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ABA | Abia |
| Havard Wilson College of Education, Aba | Abia |
| Archbishop Alexander Ibezim College of Education, Anambra | Anambra |
| ONIT College of Education, Abagana | Anambra |
| St. Paul’s College of Education NNewi | Anambra |
| Uli College of Education, Uli | Anambra |
| Adamu Garkuwa College of Education, Toro | Bauchi |
| Bogoro College of Education | Bauchi |
| Climax College of Education, Bauchi | Bauchi |
| College of Education, Darazo | Bauchi |
| College of Education, Dutsen Tanshi | Bauchi |
| Danyaya College of Education, Ningi | Bauchi |
| ECWA College of Education, Bayara | Bauchi |
| Emirate College of Education | Bauchi |
| JIBWIS College of Education, Jama’are | Bauchi |
| Jibwis College of Education, Gumau | Bauchi |
| Sarkin Yama Community College of Education | Bauchi |
| Apa College of Education, Aido | Benue |
| Calvin Foundation College of Education | Benue |
| College of Education and Entrepreneurship Studies, Lessel | Benue |
| Doviana College of Education, Gboko | Benue |
| Edexcel College of Education | Benue |
| Emmanuel Ebije Ikwue College Of Education | Benue |
| Gboko College of Education Benue State | Benue |
| Jornato College of Education | Benue |
| Kwararafa College of Education, Otukpo | Benue |
| Lessel College of Education Gboko | Benue |
| Sinai College of Education & Ent. Studies Gboko, Benue | Benue |
| Unity College of Education, Aukpa Adoka, Benue | Benue |
| Elder Oyama Memorial College of Education, Ofat | Cross River |
| STEADY FLOW College of Education, IKOM | Cross River |
| MCF College of Education Agbarha-Otor, Delta | Delta |
| Tony G Erewa College of Education | Delta |
| Ebenezer College of Education Amangwu | Ebonyi |
| Nosakhare College of Education, Benin City | Edo |
| Osan Ekiti College of Education, Ekiti State | Ekiti |
| African Thinkers Community of Inquiry College of Education, Enugu | Enugu |
| Christian Chukwuma Onoh College of Education | Enugu |
| Elizabeth Memorial College of Education Nsukka | Enugu |
| Osisa Tech. College of Education, Enugu | Enugu |
| Peaceland College of Education, Enugu | Enugu |
| The College of Education, Nsukka | Enugu |
| Angel Crown College of Education | FCT Abuja |
| City College of Education, Mararaba | FCT Abuja |
| Crescent Pearls Technical College of Education, Abuja | FCT Abuja |
| Sam Ale College of Education | FCT Abuja |
| Abubakar Garba Zagada- Zagada College of Education, Bajoga | Gombe |
| Christian College of Education, Gombe | Gombe |
| JIBWIS College of Education Gombe | Gombe |
| Kwaine College of Education, Gombe | Gombe |
| Mus’ab Bn Umair College of Education Bajoga | Gombe |
| Al-Ibadan College of Education | Ibadan |
| Eagle Mountain College of Education Abo Mbaise | Imo |
| Ikeduru College of Education | Imo |
| Pristine College of Education | Imo |
| Kazaure College of Education | Jigawa |
| Ahlus-Suffah College of Education, Ira | Kaduna |
| Ameer Shehu Idris College of Advanced Studies, Zaria | Kaduna |
| Bright College of Education, Kachia | Kaduna |
| St. Frances Asissi College of Education, Zaria | Kaduna |
| Umar Bun Khatab College of Education, Tudun Nupawa, Kaduna | Kaduna |
| Al-Mustafa College of Education, Kano | Kano |
| Al-fajr College of Education, Kano | Kano |
| Ameenuddeen College of Education | Kano |
| Aminu Kano College of Education | Kano |
| Annur College of Education Kano | Kano |
| College of Education Kura | Kano |
| Community College of Education, Kano | Kano |
| Dala College of Education, Kano | Kano |
| MARYAM IDRIS UMAR COLLEGE OF EDUCATION LIMITED | Kano |
| S. Light College of Education, Kano | Kano |
| Tijjani Ibrahim College of Education | Kano |
| Turath College of Education, Kano | Kano |
| Imam Saidu College of Education, Funtua | Katsina |
| JIBWIS College of Education, Jega, Kebbi | Kebbi |
| Jibwis College of Education, Zuru, Kebbi State | Kebbi |
| AL HIKMA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ANKPA | Kogi |
| Ife College of Education, Abejukolo, Omala | Kogi |
| Kogi East College of Education | Kogi |
| Omaga aejigbo College of education Ajiolo-Ojiaji | Kogi |
| Peace College Of Education Ankpa | Kogi |
| Victory Belt College of Education,Iyale | Kogi |
| Adesina College of Education, Share, Kwara State | Kwara |
| Ajetumobi College of Education, Ira | Kwara |
| College of Education Ilemona | Kwara |
| ECWA College of Education Igbaja | Kwara |
| First De-Wise College of Education, Ilorin | Kwara |
| Gand-Plus College of Education | Kwara |
| Grace City College of Education | Kwara |
| His Grace College of Education, Ilorin | Kwara |
| Imam Hamzat College of Education, Ilorin | Kwara |
| Lifegate College of Education, Asa | Kwara |
| Moje College of Education, Erin-Ile | Kwara |
| Muhyideen College of Education, Ilorin | Kwara |
| Nana Aishat Memorial College of Education | Kwara |
| Osi College of Education | Kwara |
| PAN African College of Education Offa | Kwara |
| Sharifat Institute of Professional and Islamic Legal Studies | Kwara |
| Talent Finders College of Education, Ilala, Kwara State | Kwara |
| Top Sprout College of Education, Ilorin | Kwara |
| Ansar-Ud-Deen College of Education, Isolo | Lagos |
| Bayo Tijani College of Education, Lagos | Lagos |
| COKWILLS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | Lagos |
| Corner Stone College of Education, Ikeja | Lagos |
| Corona College of Education Lekki | Lagos |
| Meadow Hall College of Education | Lagos |
| Pan Africa Entrepreneurship and Vocational College of Education | Lagos |
| Royal College of Education, Ikeja, Lagos State | Lagos |
| St. Augustine College of Education Akoka, Lagos | Lagos |
| Tamic College of Education, Lagos | Lagos |
| Top-Most College of Education, Ipaja-Agbado | Lagos |
| Hill College of Education, Gwanje, Akwanga | Nasarawa |
| Innovative College of Education, Karu | Nasarawa |
| JIBWIS College of Education | Nasarawa |
| Metro College of Education, Adogi-Lafia | Nasarawa |
| Hope and Anchor College of Education | Niger |
| Owu College of Education | Ogu |
| Awori District College of Education | Ogun |
| Good Shepperd College of Education | Ogun |
| Piaget College of Education | Ogun |
| Royal City College of Education, Iyesi-Ota | Ogun |
| Royal College of Education, Ogun State | Ogun |
| WATERSIDE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | Ogun |
| Yewa Central College of Education, Ayetoro, Abeokuta | Ogun |
| BETHEL College of Education IJARE, ONDO | Ondo |
| COASTLINE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | Ondo |
| Elibest College of Education | Ondo |
| FESTMED COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ONDO STATE | Ondo |
| Folrac Fortified College of Education | Ondo |
| Olekamba College of Education | Ondo |
| Peter Oyeleye Fasua College of Education | Ondo |
| The Heritage College of Education | Ondo |
| Upland College of Education, Science and Technology | Ondo |
| Al-Madinah College of Education Oshogbo | Osun |
| Al-Ummah College of Education (UMCOED) | Osun |
| Assanusiya College of Education, Odeomu, Osun | Osun |
| CRESTFIELD COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | Osun |
| College of Education, Moro, Ife-North | Osun |
| Dee-Perfect Class College of Education, Ifon-Osun, Osun State | Osun |
| GRACE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | Osun |
| Hamzainab College of Education, Oshogbo | Osun |
| Job College of Education, Ila-Orangun | Osun |
| Premier College of Education, Osun | Osun |
| Raphat College of Education | Osun |
| Best Legacy College of Education Ogbomoso | Oyo |
| Delar College of Education | Oyo |
| Lasting Glory College of Education, Erunmu Egbeda | Oyo |
| Muftau Olanihun College of Education, Ibadan | Oyo |
| Muritadha College of Education, Olodo | Oyo |
| Petriot College of Education | Oyo |
| Pineville College of Education | Oyo |
| Providence International College of Education, Ibadan | Oyo |
| The College of Education Iseyin | Oyo |
| Abdullahi Maikano College of Education, Wase | Plateau |
| Al-Iman College of Education | Plateau |
| ECWA College of Education, Jos (ECOEJ) | Plateau |
| Global College of Education, Bukuru | Plateau |
| International College of Education, Langtang | Plateau |
| JIBWIS College of Education Jos | Plateau |
| Oswald Waller College of Education Shendam | Plateau |
| TCNN College of Education, Bukuru | Plateau |
| Emamor College of Education | Rivers |
| Biga College of Education | Sokoto |
| Adigrace College of Education, Byepyi | Taraba |
| Lakeview College of Education, Jalingo | Taraba |
| Peacock College of Education Jalingo | Taraba |
| Islamic College of Education, Potiskum | Yobe |
Polytechnics Offering Nce (11)
| Institution | State |
|---|---|
| Abubakar Tatari Polytechnic | Bauchi |
| Ramat Polytechnic | Borno |
| Jigawa State Polytechnic | Jigwa |
| Kaduna Polytechnics | Kaduna |
| Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic | Kaduna |
| Kano State Polytechnic | Kano |
| Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic | Katsina |
| Kebbi State Polytechnic | Kebbi |
| Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic | Kebbi |
| The Polytechnic Iree, Osun State | Osun |
| Plateau State Polytechnic | Plataeu |
Other Nce-Awarding Institutions (8)
| Institution | State |
|---|---|
| National Institute for Nigerian Languages | Abia |
| Bauchi Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies | Bauchi |
| Muhammad Goni College of Legal, Islamic, and Educational Studies, Maiduguri | Borno |
| Institute of Ecumenical Education (Thinkers Corner) | Enugu |
| National Teachers Institute(NTI) | Kaduna |
| Zaria Institute of Information Technology | Kaduna |
| Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies | Kano |
| Nigerian Army College of Education (NACOE), Ilorin | Kwara |
This list of Colleges of Education in Nigeria reflects the current public NCCE directory retrieved for this revision. Names, ownership labels and institutional status can change, so use the linked NCCE register again immediately before applying.
Read the ownership label together with the school name. A federal or state college may have a different fee structure from a private college, while a polytechnic on the register may offer only particular NCE combinations. Build an initial shortlist from location and subject interest, then open each institution’s current admission notice. Confirm the campus, award, entry route, teaching subjects, practice-school arrangements and accommodation before making a payment. Where a name looks unfamiliar or a website is incomplete, contact the institution through details published in the regulator’s directory. This extra check matters because a valid institution can still pause a programme, move an intake or change the way applications are processed. It also helps applicants distinguish a college’s own NCE award from a degree run through a university affiliation. Record the date of every check so an older screenshot is not mistaken for a current admission instruction. Confirm the final deadline directly because old notices often remain indexed online.
What Colleges of Education in Nigeria Offer
The NCE is a major professional teaching qualification. Students usually specialise in combinations such as English and Social Studies, Mathematics and Physics, Early Childhood Care, Primary Education or vocational fields, depending on the institution.
Some colleges also run degree programmes through approved affiliations with universities. An affiliation must be checked separately because approval for NCE programmes does not automatically approve every degree course advertised on the campus.
Institutions may be federal, state or privately owned. Ownership affects funding and sometimes fees, but it does not replace programme approval, teaching quality or practical experience.
How to Verify NCCE Recognition Before Applying
Search the NCCE accredited-colleges register for the institution’s exact name and location. Similar names can belong to different providers. Check whether the school is open and whether the website or contact shown matches the campus you intend to attend.
Then verify the proposed programme. Ask for the current accreditation status of your subject combination. For a degree programme, check the NUC’s approved affiliation information and the awarding university’s notice.
An institution appearing in a directory is an important first check, but it does not prove that every course, study centre or satellite location advertised by a third party is approved.
College of Education Admission Requirements
NCE admission commonly uses JAMB and the relevant institutional screening process. Applicants need O-level credits that fit the proposed teaching subjects. Direct-entry routes into degree programmes have separate conditions.
Choose subjects you can teach confidently and that meet the college’s combination rules. A candidate interested in Mathematics Education, for example, should check Mathematics and supporting science requirements before submitting an application.
Confirm the accepted number of sittings. If you intend to combine certificates, review the two-sitting admission guide and then check the college’s specific policy.
How to Compare Colleges of Education in Nigeria
Look beyond tuition. Ask about teaching-practice placements, laboratories, libraries, accommodation and transport. A college with reliable partner schools can make practical teaching experience easier to organise.
Compare the qualification awarded and the route to a degree. Ask whether graduates can proceed through direct entry and which universities commonly accept the relevant NCE combination. Do not assume automatic admission into a particular university.
For private colleges, request a complete written fee schedule. For public institutions, confirm state-of-origin differences and departmental charges where applicable.
Colleges Versus Universities of Education
Nigeria’s teacher-training landscape is changing. Some former colleges have been upgraded or incorporated into universities of education. Current candidates should check whether an institution is admitting into NCE, degree programmes or both.
For instance, Kwara now has a State University of Education in Ilorin while state colleges in Ilorin, Oro and Lafiagi have also been reported as maintaining NCE programme accreditation. Applicants should follow the current admission notice for the campus and award they want.
Types of Colleges of Education and Ownership
Nigeria has federal, state and private colleges, as well as institutions that have been upgraded, merged or renamed. Ownership affects funding and administration, but it does not by itself tell you whether a particular course is strong. Start with the current NCCE listing, then visit the institution’s own site to confirm its name, campus and programmes for the admission year.
Status changes deserve special attention. An older article or certificate may use a former name, while the current admissions portal uses a university-of-education name. Confirm which institution is admitting new students and which award the programme leads to. Colleges of education in Nigeria should be compared using current records rather than familiar historical labels.
NCE Course Combinations and Teaching Subjects
The Nigeria Certificate in Education is usually built around teaching subjects or a specialised education area. A candidate may study combinations such as English and Social Studies, Mathematics and another science, or programmes in early childhood, primary education, special education, vocational education and related fields. Available combinations differ by college.
Check that your O-level subjects support both sides of the combination. A broad admission statement can hide a department-specific requirement. Also ask whether the course trains you for the age group and classroom setting you prefer. Someone interested in early childhood learning may need a different programme from a candidate who wants to teach Chemistry at secondary level.
NCE, Degree and Affiliation Routes Explained
An NCE programme is not the same as a Bachelor of Education degree. Some colleges also run degree programmes through an affiliation with a university, but the awarding institution, admission process and fees should be stated clearly. Do not assume that every student on a college campus is registered for the same qualification.
For an affiliated degree, verify the partnership on current official pages and ask which university appears on the certificate. Confirm whether JAMB UTME or Direct Entry is required and whether the programme is approved for the campus. If the arrangement cannot be explained in writing, pause before paying.
Teaching Practice and Classroom Experience
Teacher education should include meaningful school experience. Ask when teaching practice begins, how placement schools are selected and whether supervisors visit students. Find out who pays for transport, teaching materials and accommodation where a placement is far from campus. A long list of education courses is less useful if students receive little feedback on actual teaching.
Explore the college’s demonstration school, microteaching facilities, laboratories, library and educational technology resources. For vocational or science combinations, check the relevant workshop or laboratory. Colleges of education in Nigeria prepare people for practical classroom work, so facilities should support lesson planning, assessment and subject teaching, not only lectures.
College of Education Admission Process
The route may include JAMB, institutional screening and O-level verification. Read the current notice to learn whether the college must be selected as a choice, whether a change of institution is required and how results are uploaded. Meet the advertised deadline and use the official portal. A message from an unofficial contact is not a substitute for an application record.
Direct Entry candidates should confirm the accepted qualification and grade. NCE holders applying to a degree programme need the department’s requirement, not merely a general statement that Direct Entry is available. Keep receipts, screening slips and correspondence together in case a choice or result needs to be traced.
Fees, Accommodation and Student Support
Request a full schedule covering acceptance, registration, examinations, teaching practice, departmental dues, accommodation and other compulsory items. State institutions may have different rates for indigenes and non-indigenes. Private colleges may package some services together. Ask what can change after the first session and whether refunds apply if admission is not completed.
Campus housing can reduce transport pressure, but inspect its condition and rules. If you will live off campus, calculate transport to lectures and teaching-practice schools. Also check counselling, health services, disability support and security. The cheapest fee on a list may not produce the lowest total cost.
How to Check Graduate and Career Options
Ask where recent graduates work and what steps they take for professional registration or further study. An NCE can support teaching and related education roles, while some graduates continue through Direct Entry into an education degree. The next step depends on the course combination, grades and receiving university.
Do not choose a college only because a friend gained admission there. Compare the programme with your intended teaching subject and long-term plan. Colleges of education in Nigeria differ in specialisation, location and partnerships, so a good choice is one that fits both your academic record and the classroom career you want.
A Practical College Shortlist
Create a simple comparison sheet for three to five institutions. Record current recognition, course combination, entry route, estimated annual cost, accommodation, teaching-practice arrangements and travel distance. Add a source and date beside each important claim so you can refresh information before paying.
Remove any school whose current status or programme cannot be verified. Then rank the remaining options by fit rather than popularity. This process produces a smaller but safer shortlist and makes later application decisions much easier.
Colleges of Education in Nigeria FAQs
Is an NCE the Same as a BEd?
No. They are different qualifications. An NCE can support teaching and may provide a route to further study, while a BEd is a bachelor’s degree.
Are All Colleges Listed by NCCE Safe to Apply To?
Confirm the current status and specific programme. Colleges of education in Nigeria may have different programme approvals, and unofficial study centres can misuse a recognised name.
Can I Study a Degree at a College Campus?
Some colleges host approved affiliated degrees. Verify the course, awarding university and current affiliation before paying.
How to Build a Verified College Shortlist
Use the NCCE register, check programme approval and compare the real teaching environment. The best colleges of education in Nigeria for you are the ones that offer the right approved subject combination, practical support and affordable route to your teaching goal.
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