List of Approved Colleges of Education in Nigeria 2026

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) accredits approximately 150 Colleges of Education across Nigeria, split between Federal, State, and private institutions. The list below covers the major Federal and State Colleges of Education for the 2026 admission cycle. Each college runs three-year NCE programmes covering teaching subjects across the sciences, arts, social sciences, and primary education. JAMB UTME is the entry exam; institutional cut-offs sit between 100 and 130 for most programmes.

Last updated: May 2026 Colleges of Education vary in reputation, infrastructure, and programme breadth. Federal Colleges of Education tend to have stronger reputations and resources than state colleges, with subsidised federal tuition. State Colleges of Education focus on training teachers for the owning state’s school system, with indigene tuition advantages. Private Colleges of Education are smaller in scale, with tuition closer to private university rates. This guide lists the major institutions and what each is known for.

Federal Colleges of Education

The Federal Colleges of Education are the leading NCE institutions. The full list includes:

• Federal College of Education, Akoka (Lagos). The flagship federal college. Strong programmes across the sciences, arts, and primary education. JAMB cut-offs 100-130.
• Federal College of Education, Zaria (Kaduna). One of the oldest. Strong in sciences and arts for northern catchment. JAMB 100-130.
• Federal College of Education, Kano. Northern catchment. Strong Arabic, Islamic Studies, sciences. JAMB 100-130.
• Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos. Specialist technical NCE programmes (technical drawing, computer education, woodwork).
• Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba (Delta). Technical programmes for South-South catchment.
• Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau (Zamfara). Technical NCE for northern catchment.
• Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi (Kano). Northern technical college.
• Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze (Anambra). South-East technical college.
• Federal College of Education, Pankshin (Plateau). North-Central catchment, strong arts and sciences.
• Federal College of Education, Yola (Adamawa). Strong in arts, social studies, and Hausa.
• Federal College of Education, Obudu (Cross River). South-South catchment. Strong primary education, Special Education.
• Federal College of Education, Kontagora (Niger). North-Central. Strong sciences and Hausa.
• Federal College of Education, Okene (Kogi). North-Central. Wide course offering.
• Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu (Enugu). South-East catchment. Strong sciences and primary education.
• Federal College of Education, Omoku (Rivers). South-South catchment.
• Federal College of Education, Katsina. Northern catchment. Strong Arabic and Islamic Studies.

Federal Colleges of Education charge subsidised tuition (₦20,000 to ₦60,000 first-year fees). All NCE programmes are NCCE-accredited and recognised by the Federal Ministry of Education and TRCN.

State Colleges of Education (major)

State governments run Colleges of Education to train teachers for their school systems. State Colleges typically apply indigene-vs-non-indigene tuition, similar to state universities. Notable State Colleges include:

• Lagos State University of Education (LASUED). Recently upgraded to a university; runs degree-level Education programmes alongside NCE. Located in Lagos. Strong reputation in the South-West.
• Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Otto (Lagos State). Now part of LASUED. Continues NCE programmes.
• Tai Solarin University of Education (Ogun State). University-level specialist Education institution; runs B.Ed degrees plus NCE.
• Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun. Strong sciences and arts for Osun and Ekiti candidates.
• College of Education, Ikere (Ekiti State). Ekiti State Government college.
• Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. One of the oldest in Nigeria. Strong reputation; now affiliated with OAU for degree programmes.
• College of Education, Warri (Delta State). South-South catchment.
• Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha-Nsit.
• Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa.
• Imo State College of Education, Ihitte-Uboma.
• Anambra State College of Education, Nsugbe.
• Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu.
• Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu.
• Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo.
• College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (Ekiti State).
• Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa.
• Nasarawa State College of Education, Akwanga.
• Plateau State College of Education, Gindiri.
• Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya.
• Sokoto State College of Education.
• Zamfara State College of Education, Maru.
• Niger State College of Education, Minna.
• Borno State College of Education, Waka-Biu.
• Adamawa State College of Education, Hong.
• Bauchi State College of Education, Kangere.
• Yobe State College of Education, Gashua.

Private and faith-based Colleges of Education

A growing number of private and faith-based Colleges of Education operate alongside the federal and state institutions. Notable private and faith-based colleges include:

• FCE-Lebede, Bauchi. Private College of Education.
• Mount Royal College of Education, Awutu Effutu.
• Brillian College of Education, Lagos.
• Catholic-based Colleges of Education at various dioceses. Run by Catholic dioceses for teacher training, especially for Catholic primary and secondary schools.
• Apostolic-based and Adventist-based Colleges of Education. Various locations.
• Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) College of Education affiliations.

Private colleges typically charge higher tuition than federal or state colleges (₦200,000 to ₦600,000 per session). For most candidates, federal or state colleges are the better cost-quality choice unless there is a specific faith-alignment reason to choose a private college.

How to apply to a College of Education

The standard route: register for JAMB UTME, pick a College of Education as first choice on JAMB, sit JAMB UTME. After results, register for the college’s entrance test (which most federal and state colleges run as additional screening). Pay acceptance fee on admission, complete clearance at the college campus.

Some Colleges of Education also offer direct entry (DE) admission for candidates with prior qualifications: an A Level pass in arts or sciences plus the standard O Level, or an OND in a relevant field, or an NCE from another college for a second NCE programme.

JAMB UTME subject combinations vary by the teaching subjects you choose. For NCE Science combinations (Biology+Chemistry, Mathematics+Physics, etc.): Use of English plus the science subjects. For NCE Arts combinations (English+Literature, History+Government, etc.): Use of English plus the arts subjects. Check the JAMB brochure for the specific College of Education and combination.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best College of Education in Nigeria?

Federal College of Education Akoka (Lagos) is widely regarded as the leading Federal College of Education by reputation, infrastructure, and graduate placement. Federal College of Education Zaria and Adeyemi College of Education Ondo are strong runners-up. For state colleges, Tai Solarin University of Education (Ogun) and LASUED (Lagos) carry strong reputations. The “best” depends on the specific teaching subjects you want and the location you prefer.

Are Colleges of Education the same as universities?

No. Colleges of Education award NCE (certificate-level), not B.Sc or B.Ed degrees. They specialise specifically in teacher training. Some Colleges of Education have been upgraded to specialist Education universities (LASUED in Lagos, Tai Solarin University of Education in Ogun, Adeyemi affiliated with OAU); these run university-level B.Ed degrees. The standard College of Education runs NCE only.

Can I pick any College of Education as first JAMB choice?

Yes. JAMB allows you to pick a College of Education as your first or second choice. The cut-off for College of Education first choice is the institutional minimum (100 to 130). Many candidates pick a university as first choice and a College of Education as second choice as a fallback if the university admission does not come through. This is a sensible strategy for candidates with JAMB scores in the 160 to 200 range where the university admission is uncertain.

What courses can I take at a College of Education?

NCE programmes pair two teaching subjects per candidate. Common pairings: Biology + Chemistry, Mathematics + Physics, English + Literature, History + Government, Geography + Economics, CRS + IRS (rare but offered at some), Yoruba/Igbo/Hausa + another arts subject, Music + Fine Arts, Computer Science + Mathematics. Specialised programmes also exist: Early Childhood Education, Primary Education Studies, Special Education, Adult Education. Each college lists its specific NCE combinations.

Can I get a degree at a College of Education?

Some upgraded Colleges of Education now run degree programmes (LASUED, Tai Solarin University of Education, Adeyemi College of Education affiliated with OAU). Standard Colleges of Education run NCE only. For a degree-level qualification through a College of Education, you need to attend one of the upgraded universities or pursue B.Ed conversion at a regular university after completing NCE.

How accessible are Colleges of Education?

Among the most accessible higher education institutions in Nigeria. JAMB cut-offs at 100 to 130 mean even candidates with modest JAMB scores have real options. Tuition at federal colleges is subsidised. Many federal college towns have low cost of living. For candidates whose JAMB scores are below the university institutional minimums (180-200), Colleges of Education provide a real route to tertiary education and a recognised teaching qualification.

How to choose between Colleges of Education

The choice between Colleges of Education depends on three factors: location, teaching subject specialisation, and cost. For candidates from a specific region, the federal or state College of Education in or near your region is usually the easiest fit on travel, accommodation, and catchment quota positioning.

Teaching subject pairings vary by college. Federal College of Education Akoka offers a wide range of subject combinations because of its size and federal scope; smaller colleges may have fewer combinations available. Check the specific college’s prospectus for the NCE teaching subject combinations on offer before applying.

Cost differs slightly across federal and state colleges. Federal colleges charge subsidised tuition uniformly across the country. State colleges apply indigene/non-indigene tuition, so the cost varies based on your state of origin. For non-indigene candidates, federal colleges are usually cheaper than non-indigene state college tuition.

Related guides

• How to gain admission into Federal College of Education
• NCE vs Degree: which is right for teachers
• Subjects required to study Education in Nigeria
• Lowest JAMB score to get into university

Sources

National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) accreditation list; Federal Ministry of Education; Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria; individual College of Education admission portals.