The Senior Special Assistant to the president on students’ engagement, Hon. Adedayo paid a courtesy call to the Executive Secretary of, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, (NCCE) Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle on Tuesday, 23rd January, 2024. Hon. Sunday Adedayo and his team were received by the Director, Special Duties at the Executive Secretary`s Conference Hall at 11:05 am. The SSA briefed the Commission on the objective of the visit, which he highlighted the following issues;

• To familiarize his office with the Commission, and to congratulate the Executive Secretary on his practical efforts to reshape the standard of Teacher Preparation in Nigeria.
• To convey the President's confidence in the Commission`s leadership.
• To inform the Commission of the mandate of the office of the SSA on Students` engagement.
• To also find out about areas of collaboration with NCCE on student matters as it affects College of Education students.

He also briefed the Commission on the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu`s administration on efforts to revive the education sector which he mentioned some of the strategies as: Students loan funds, Tetfund Intervention to Tertiary Institutions, plus other initiatives that will enhance specially Teacher preparation for the basic education levels. He concluded by assuring the Commission of regular interface to ensure positive approach in getting it right in the Teacher Education Programs since no one grow beyond the level of Teacher Educators` Performance in any Nation. He equally noted that President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, is very happy with the leadership style of Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle and encouraged him to put more effort to bring to fruition quality teachers for the Nation. In response to the issues raised, the Executive Secretary, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, who earlier welcomed the team and appreciated the SSA for the prompt initiative to visit the Commission, totally agreed with the submission of the Senior Special Assistant of the importance of collaborating and synergize on points presented. He congratulated the President on the quick intervention in the education sector on the following issues; the removal of Tertiary Institutions from IPPIS, approval of dual mode for Colleges of Education, the Students loan funds, and even the creation of the office of SSA on Students` engagement, which he noted is the first of its kind. He also presented some of the challenges faced in carrying out the mandate of the Commission as;

• Dwindling enrollment into the Colleges of Education.
• Inadequate funds to carry out accreditation/resource visits when due.
• He solicited that the President should also remove the regulatory agencies from IPPIS to enable the institutions and their regulatory agencies to be on the same page.

He wished the President and his team a peaceful and fruitful tenure with assurance of the Commission`s total loyalty to his government. He thanked the SSA for the visit and wished him and his team journey mercy back.