The federal government said it plans to eliminate the long-standing distinction between Higher National Diploma (HND) and university degrees and empower polytechnics to award degrees, officials said Wednesday.
The move is part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving technical and vocational education in Nigeria and addressing perceived inequalities in employment opportunities between HND holders and university graduates.
Officials said the initiative will allow polytechnic graduates to access the same career and academic pathways as university graduates, including postgraduate education and federal employment eligibility.
The government also said it would provide the necessary support to polytechnics to meet accreditation standards required for awarding degrees, including upgrading facilities, expanding faculty capacity and reviewing curricula to align with university-level programs.
The proposal has been welcomed by stakeholders in the education sector, who said it could enhance the relevance of technical and vocational education, reduce brain drain, and improve Nigeria’s workforce competitiveness.
A government source said the policy would be implemented in phases, with select polytechnics upgraded first, while others would follow as they meet the required standards. The initiative also includes continuous monitoring to ensure quality and adherence to academic regulations.
The federal government emphasized that the reform is intended to create parity between HND and bachelor’s degree holders and ensure graduates are adequately prepared for the country’s evolving labor market.
