The Federal Government has announced a renewed push to reposition Nigeria’s 115 Federal Unity Colleges to deliver higher-quality education and stronger learning outcomes. The commitment was unveiled in Lagos on Tuesday during the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Principals of Federal Unity Colleges.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, said the colleges are receiving focused government attention, including modern teaching facilities and reforms designed to improve classroom learning. She stressed that education remains a top priority of the Bola Tinubu administration, describing it as critical to economic empowerment and national development.
She noted that principals play a decisive role in shaping school standards and student outcomes. As accounting and administrative heads, she said their leadership determines how effectively schools are run and how well students are prepared for the future. According to her, students must leave unity colleges better equipped than when they enrolled.
Prof. Suwaiba reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s plan to revive the system through curriculum reforms, professional development for teachers, and the integration of digital technologies. She urged principals to work collectively to restore unity colleges as national symbols of excellence and pride, while reminding them to uphold strong ethical standards as representatives of the ministry in their states.
Addressing teacher development, the minister assured participants that the ministry would support certification by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and capacity-building programmes through the National Teachers Institute. She disclosed that the NTI would organize refresher training programmes lasting between four and six months to update teachers’ skills and knowledge.
She also encouraged peer learning among principals, saying shared experiences and reviews of challenges would strengthen school administration across the system. The minister praised the colourful regional attire worn by participants, describing it as a reflection of unity in diversity. She added that the meeting’s theme, focused on repositioning secondary education for economic empowerment, was both timely and relevant.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Hon. Dr. Mark Oseni, commended unity colleges for their sustained commitment to educational excellence. He assured principals of continued legislative backing, promising National Assembly support for initiatives aimed at improving education nationwide. He also congratulated schools that excelled in national examinations and urged others to raise their performance.
Outstanding schools were recognised for success in external examinations. In the 2024 WASSCE, Federal Government Girls College, Ibusa, Delta State placed first, followed by FGG College Benin, Edo State, and FGG College Owerri, Imo State. For NECO, FGG College Awka, Anambra State led the rankings, with FGG College Owerri second and Federal Government College Warri third. In NABTEB examinations, Federal Technical College Yaba, Lagos emerged first, followed by FTC Ijebu Mushin, Ogun State, and FTC Awka, Anambra State.
