Colleges of Education serve as the foundational element of Nigeria’s teacher training system. Since their establishment around the time of Nigeria’s independence in 1960, these institutions have been pivotal in the production of qualified teachers that staff primary and secondary schools across the nation.
In the present day, with teachers still in high demand in both the public and private sectors, selecting the appropriate College of Education is an essential decision for any aspirant of the teaching profession.
This guide ranks the top 10 Colleges of Education in Nigeria for 2026, providing comprehensive information on their history, programs, and anticipated school fees to assist in making an educated choice.
Top 10 Best Colleges of Education in Nigeria (2026)
1. Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | Federal |
| Location | Ondo, Ondo State |
| Established | 1963 |
| Affiliation | Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) |
| Acceptance Fee | ₦20,000 (NCE) / ₦25,000 (Degree) |
Adeyemi College of Education is recognized as the top college of education in Nigeria because of its excellent standard of training and teaching methodologies. The institution was established in 1963 and was named after Canon M. C. Adeyemi, an Anglican priest who was instrumental in the development of education in Ondo State.
The college is divided into five schools: Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Languages, Sciences and Vocational and Technical Education, with twenty eight different departments.
Note: Adeyemi College of Education is now working toward becoming the Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED). Prospective students should check the status of programmes.
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- Acceptance Fee: ₦20,000 (NCE) / ₦25,000 (Degree)
- Tuition (Estimated) : ₦35,000 – ₦75,000 per session
2. Federal College of Education, Zaria
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | Federal |
| Location | Zaria, Kaduna State |
| Established | 1962 |
| Former Name | Northern Secondary Teachers College |
Federal College of Education, Zaria, is another leading light in teacher training. It was among the four advanced teachers’ training colleges recommended by the Federal Ministry of Education in 1959 to cater to the growing number of primary and secondary school students.
The college was established on March 1, 1962, and authorised to commence operations in March 1963. It was originally known as the Northern Secondary Teachers College before being renamed Zaria Teachers’ College.
Programmes: NCE, Pre-NCE, Professional Diploma in Education, and Remedial programmes
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- NCE Part-Time: ₦28,000 – ₦33,000 per level (depending on Arts or Science)
- Degree (B.Ed/B.Sc.Ed): ₦37,650 per level
- Acceptance Fee: ₦20,000 – ₦30,000
3. Niger State College of Education, Minna
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | State |
| Location | Minna, Niger State |
| Established | 1975 (as Advanced Teacher’s College) / 1983 (upgraded) |
Owned and funded by the Niger State Government, this institution was established as an advanced teacher’s college by the defunct North-Western State Government in the 1970s. It was upgraded to a College of Education in 1983.
The college has six schools—Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Languages, Science, Technical Education, and Vocational Education—housing a total of 32 departments.
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- Indigenes: ₦40,000 – ₦60,000 per session
- Non-Indigenes: ₦35,000 – ₦50,000 per session
4. Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | Federal |
| Location | Oyo, Oyo State |
| Established | 1977 |
| Former Name | Federal Advanced Teachers College for Special Education |
This institution initially took off as the Federal Advanced Teachers College for Special Education (FATC-SE) in March 1977 and is affiliated with the University of Ibadan. Until the 1993/94 academic session, the University of Ibadan, through its Institute of Education and Department of Special Education, supervised all teaching and learning activities.
Special Feature: Students must combine one Special Education course with a teaching subject.
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- NCE Programmes: ₦45,000 – ₦85,000
- Acceptance Fee: ₦25,000
5. Federal College of Education, Kano
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | Federal |
| Location | Kano, Kano State |
| Established | 1961 |
This College of Education was established in 1961 and is located along Kofar Famfo Road, Kano State. In 1990, the college became a Federal Government-owned institution when it was taken over by the Federal Government.
The college is made up of five schools: Education, Languages, Sciences, Vocational Education, and the Schools of Arts and Social Sciences.
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- Range: ₦25,000 – ₦65,000
- Acceptance Fee: From ₦10,000 (depending on course)
6. Federal College of Education, Abeokuta
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | Federal |
| Location | Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State |
| Established | 1976 |
Established in 1976, this federal college is located in the Osiele area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The college offers awards in NCE, Pre-NCE, and sandwich programmes.
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- NCE Fees (100L) : ~₦32,685 (excluding acceptance and portal fees)
- Total Package: ~₦55,000 – ₦85,000
- Acceptance Fee: ₦25,000
7. Federal College of Education, Zuba (FCE Zuba)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | Federal |
| Location | Zuba, Abuja (FCT) |
| Established | 1996 |
FCE Zuba was established in 1996 to train teachers for primary and secondary schools, with a focus on sciences, Nigerian languages, and vocational education. It became a federal institution after a temporary closure in 2000.
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- Fresh Students (Full-Time) : ₦60,000 – ₦65,000
- Fresh Students (Evening) : ₦63,000 – ₦68,000
- Returning Students (Full-Time) : ₦45,000 – ₦47,000
- Returning Students (Evening) : ₦48,000 – ₦50,000
8. College of Education, Warri (COEWARRI)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | State |
| Location | Warri, Delta State |
| Established | 1979 |
College of Education, Warri, is a state-owned higher institution run by the Delta State Government, founded in October 1979. The school presently runs degree programmes in Education.
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- NCE Programmes: ₦55,000 – ₦95,000
- Screening Fee: ₦3,000
9. Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | State |
| Location | Ilorin, Kwara State |
Kwara State College of Education is one of Nigeria’s oldest and largest colleges of education. It operates as a dual-mode institution, offering both NCE and degree programmes in affiliation with Ekiti State University (EKSU) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- Indigenes: ₦45,000 – ₦65,000
- Application Fee: ₦2,000
10. Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo
| Attribute | Detail |
| Type | State |
| Location | Oyo, Oyo State |
| Established | 1896 |
| Former Name | St. Andrew’s College |
Established by the Church Missionary Society in 1896, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education is the oldest teacher training institution in Nigeria. It was originally named St. Andrew’s College.
Estimated Fees (2026/2027)
- Freshers: ₦100,000 – ₦150,000
- Acceptance Fee: ₦20,000
Fee Comparison at a Glance
| Institution | Type | Estimated Fees (NCE/Year) |
| Adeyemi College of Education | Federal | ₦35,000 – ₦75,000 |
| Federal College of Education, Zaria | Federal | ₦28,000 – ₦37,650 |
| Niger State College of Education, Minna | State | ₦35,000 – ₦60,000 |
| Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo | Federal | ₦45,000 – ₦85,000 |
| Federal College of Education, Kano | Federal | ₦25,000 – ₦65,000 |
| Federal College of Education, Abeokuta | Federal | ₦55,000 – ₦85,000 |
| Federal College of Education, Zuba | Federal | ₦45,000 – ₦68,000 |
| College of Education, Warri | State | ₦55,000 – ₦95,000 |
| Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin | State | ₦45,000 – ₦65,000 |
| Emmanuel Alayande College of Education | State | ₦100,000 – ₦150,000 |
Note: Fees vary significantly based on programme (NCE vs. Degree), student category (indigene vs. non-indigene for state colleges), and study mode (full-time vs. part-time/evening). Always confirm current fees directly with the institution.
Admission Requirements
To gain admission into most Colleges of Education in Nigeria, candidates generally need:
- At least five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics (subject requirements vary by programme)
- A valid UTME score where applicable
- Participation in the institution’s screening exercise
- Meeting departmental admission requirements
Applicants seeking Direct Entry into degree programmes may also be admitted with an NCE qualification.
Career Opportunities After Graduation
Graduates of Colleges of Education can pursue careers as:
- Primary school teachers
- Secondary school teachers
- Education officers
- Curriculum developers
- Guidance counsellors
- Educational administrators
- School proprietors
- Researchers
- Educational consultants
- Lecturers (with additional qualifications)
Many graduates also proceed to universities through Direct Entry to obtain bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees.
Conclusion
Selecting the appropriate College of Education is one of the most crucial decisions that an aspiring teacher will make as it will shape the trajectory of the individual’s career as an educator. The year 2026 will be marked by an impressive array of choices for excellent institutions, from the historical excellence of Adeyemi College of Education to the specialized training offered at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, and the facilities and services offered at relatively low cost by state institutions like Niger State College of Education, Minna.
Fees charged by federal colleges are usually less than that of state colleges, while some of the state colleges charge relatively higher fees for non-indigenes. The historic Emmanuel Alayande College of Education commands higher fees (₦100,000–₦150,000) but offers the prestige of being Nigeria’s oldest teacher training institution.
Ultimately, your choice should strike the right balance amongst academic reputation, the cost, and the location. Always verify the current fees and accreditation status directly with the institution through official channels. Fees can change, and they can vary by programme and student category
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