In a decisive move towards reshaping Nigeria’s educational system, stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to phase out Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes and replace them with Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) honours degrees.
This recommendation was made during a recent high-profile meeting at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Auditorium in Abuja, organized by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The meeting featured prominent figures, including the Honorable Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who delivered the keynote address, and Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, stakeholders emphasized the need for intentional legislative efforts to positively reposition polytechnic education to meet the evolving needs of society.
“For decades, the Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates have been a cornerstone of Technical Education in Nigeria, providing countless individuals with knowledge and skills necessary to pursue rewarding careers in various fields. “However, this has been gradually eroded by the challenges confronting the TVET sector in the 21st century. It has therefore become increasingly evident that our
educational framework must change to meet the evolving technological/ skills needs of our modern society and economy,” the communique partly read.
Some of the most featured challenges noted by the stakeholders include; Discrimination against HND graduates in favour of degree holders, unequal treatment in the job market as well as limited career advancement opportunities.
Others are; limited recognition of the HND as it is not accepted internationally thereby limiting opportunities for further education, attendant low students’ enrollment into ND and HND programmes which consequently lead to the extinction of the polytechnic sector.
The key resolutions arrived at by the stakeholders are; “That HND be scrapped and in its place, Polytechnics be empowered to award B.Tech. Honours skills-based degrees as follow-up to ND by amending the Polytechnic Act;
“The relevant National Diploma should be the entry requirement for admission into B.Tech. programmes;
“Accreditation of B.Tech. Hons. programmes to be jointly carried out by NBTE and relevant Professional bodies such as CORBON, COREN, etc;
“National Polytechnics Commission to replace the NBTE by amending the NBTE Act;
“The HND programmes should be gradually phased out as Polytechnics meet the requirements to institute the B.Tech. Hons. programs;
“That Mr. President to sign the anti-dichotomy bill as it affects
the current holders of HND.”
The meeting also featured presentations on the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP’25) and the Performance Management System, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Nigeria’s educational institutions.
The communiqué drafting committee included representatives from Osun State Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Harry-Pass Polytechnic Gboko, and Auchi Polytechnic, who signed off on the resolutions, underscoring the collective commitment to transforming Nigeria’s technical education landscape.
