The Federal Government has announced a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s tertiary education system, bringing the end of the Higher National Diploma (HND) as it seeks to elevate polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions.
Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa revealed the policy shift on Wednesday during a high-level retreat in Abuja for governing council chairmen, rectors and other stakeholders in the polytechnic sector.
The move, Alausa said, is designed to dismantle the entrenched dichotomy between HND holders and university graduates, a divide that has long stifled the career advancement and professional recognition of polytechnic alumni.
“This administration is committed to repositioning polytechnics as centres of excellence. They must no longer be seen as inferior to universities but as equal partners in national development,” he said.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s future hinges on a technically skilled workforce capable of solving real-world problems, a strength he believes lies at the heart of the polytechnic model.
Granting these institutions the authority to confer degrees, he argued, would not only enhance their status but also align their output with global standards.
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To that end, Alausa pledged the introduction of rigorous regulatory and quality assurance frameworks to ensure that degrees awarded by polytechnics meet international benchmarks.
In a stern warning to institutional leaders, he also announced the need for transparency and accountability, stating that corruption would not be tolerated in the management of polytechnics.
As part of the reforms, the minister announced a special intervention by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to modernise engineering departments across polytechnics with cutting-edge equipment.
While acknowledging persistent challenges, including outdated infrastructure and societal bias against technical education, Alausa urged polytechnic leaders to embrace innovation in fields such as renewable energy, digital manufacturing and applied technology.
“The future of our youth, our economy and our nation depends on the transformation we ignite here today,” he said.
The announcement comes amid fresh calls from stakeholders and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the passage of the HND Discrimination (Prohibition) Bill, which seeks to enshrine parity between HND and university qualifications in law.
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