The Colleges of Education Department is one of the professional departments in the Ministry, established due to the unbundling of the Tertiary Education Department in July 2021, following approval from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. This reform was aimed at ensuring ease of administration and operational efficiency. The department is responsible for overseeing all Federal, State, and Private Colleges of Education in Nigeria, providing leadership and direction, and formulating national policy on education quality assurance in education. As a professional department within the Federal Ministry of Education, it is responsible for regulating and coordinating all matters relating to Education Quality Assurance (EQA) policies, processes, and practices in Nigeria.
Our Vision
To make Colleges of Education Centres of Excellence in teaching, learning and research in order to promote the production of top-class teachers, highly motivated and fully prepared for teaching at the basic education level
Our Mission
To ensure the production of well-motivated proficient teachers of world class quality in a conducive learning environment with high personal and professional discipline, integrity and competence for expanding Basic Education sector.
Department Overview
The Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) is a Department of the Federal Ministry of Education headed by a Director, as the Secretary of the Board. It has no Governing Board, contrary to the name/nomenclature.
Mandate
a) Policy Formulation – Preparation of periodic master plans for a balanced and efficient utilization of foreign and local scholarship, and fellowship awards to deserving Nigerian undergraduate and postgraduate students. This may sometimes involve consultation with State Governments, the Ministries of Foreign matters and with other relevant agencies and bodies.
b) Implementation of Federal Government policy and programmes of foreign and local scholarship awards to deserving Nigerian scholars.
c) Implementation of Federal Government commitments to Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) and Multi-Lateral (Commonwealth) Agreements on Scholarship and Fellowship awards to Nigeria.
d) Implementation of Presidential Special Scholarship for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) and NYSC EX-Corps Scholarship.
e) Collection, collation, analysis, publishing and dissemination of data and other information of student matters, Scholarship and Fellowship awards in relation to Nigeria.
f) Supervision and monitoring the activities of Federal Government Scholars in Tertiary Institutions locally and abroad.
g) Advising and coordinating States Scholarship Policies and Programmes through Annual Coordinating Committee Meetings of Secretaries of Federal and State Scholarship Boards.
Leadership
DIRECTOR
Khadijat Liman Ahmed
Mrs. Khadijat Liman Ahmed currently serves as Director, Federal Scholarships (Department of Scholarship Awards) in the Federal Ministry of Education. In this capacity, she oversees the administration of Federal Government scholarship programmes, including Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarships, Nigerian Awards, Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship programmes, and related scholarship initiatives. The department also coordinates scholarship policy implementation, monitoring of beneficiaries, and liaison with State Scholarship Boards.
Director's Additional Profile Information:
- Professional Memberships: Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Counselling Association of Nigeria
- Honors: Ambassador for Peace, Universal Peace Federation; Lolo Ifeadikanwanne of Nanka Town
- Core Competencies: Policy formulation, strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, quality assurance
Organizational Structure
Divisions:Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA);
Branches:
- Technical Education
- Public & Private Technical Colleges
Key Functions:
- Manages scholarship programmes arising from bilateral agreements between Nigeria and foreign governments, including nomination, selection, placement, and monitoring of beneficiaries.
Divisions: Nigerian Awards;
Branches:
[Specific branches not provided]
Key Functions:
- Administers Federal Government local scholarship and bursary schemes for eligible Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.
Divisions: Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan
Branches:
[Specific branches not provided]
Key Functions:
- Coordinates Commonwealth scholarship and fellowship opportunities, including nominations, screening, and liaison with Commonwealth scholarship bodies.
Divisions: General Duties
Branches:
[Specific branches not provided]
Key Functions:
- Provides administrative, records, finance, personnel, monitoring, and operational support services for the departmen
Key Mandates and Functions
- Formulate, implement, and regularly update comprehensive safety policies aligned with national standards and global best practices
- Conduct periodic risk assessments and safety audits to identify and mitigate potential hazards within schools
- Design and execute robust emergency response plans, including evacuation procedures and crisis management protocols
- Oversee physical security measures including surveillance systems, access control, and security personnel deployment
- Organize regular training programs for staff, students, and parents on safety protocols and emergency preparedness
- Collaborate with law enforcement, emergency services, and other stakeholders to enhance safety measures
- Establish efficient systems for reporting, documenting, and analyzing safety incidents
- Promote mental health and emotional resilience through targeted programs addressing bullying and harassment
Projects and Initiatives
National Safe Schools Programme
- Framework: National Policy on School Safety Security and Violence-Free Schools (NPSSSVFS)
- Support: National Plan on Financing Safe Schools
- Coordination: Harmonized under Office of the Permanent Secretary
Capacity Building Programme
- Partners: National Institute for Security Studies, security agencies, development partners
- Target: School administrators, security personnel, ministry officials
Achievements and Activities
Achievements
- Successfully administered Federal Government scholarship programmes for Nigerian students at local and international levels.
- Coordinated Nigeria’s participation in Bilateral Education Agreement and Commonwealth scholarship schemes.
- Strengthened monitoring and support systems for scholarship beneficiaries.
- Enhanced national scholarship funding through the 2025–2026 scholarship reform initiative.
- Facilitated coordination of scholarship policies among Federal and State Scholarship Boards.
Key Activities - Administration of Nigerian Awards, Commonwealth Scholarships, and other Federal Government scholarship schemes.
- Scholarship policy formulation and implementation.
- Screening, nomination, placement, and monitoring of scholarship beneficiaries.
- Coordination of national and international scholarship programmes.
- Collect and manage scholarship-related data and information.
Revised Scholarship Grants Across All Education Levels
The Federal Government’s Ministry of Education has approved a major overhaul of the national scholarship program, the most significant in over a decade. Scholarships across all levels have increased by 50% to reduce financial burden and promote access. Unveiled by Minister Maruf Olatunji Alausa, this reform aligns with Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, supporting priorities in STEMM, medical sciences, and vocational education.
The Nigeria Award scheme now includes two new categories that support polytechnic, STEM, and medical students. A new allocation framework ensures fairness of scholarships for undergraduates, Master’s and PhD students, prioritising STEMM and the Social Sciences and reserving 5% for students with disabilities.
Images & Media
Contact Information
Main Office: Federal Education Quality Assurance Service Department Federal Ministry of Education Federal Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way Abuja, Nigeria P.M.B 146, Garki
- Email: coeseducation1234@yahoo.com
- E-CHIPS Programme: www.fmecoeechips.com
- Main Ministry Website: www.education.gov.ng