The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced that polytechnics will soon be allowed to award National Diplomas (ND) and Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees in science, technology, and engineering programmes, while non-science courses will remain under the Higher National Diploma (HND) framework.
The announcement was made by Prof. Idris Bugaje, NBTE’s Executive Secretary, during a retreat for governing council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars, and bursars in Abuja.
Bugaje explained that the change is enabled by the ongoing amendment of the Polytechnic Act, which has passed second reading in the House of Representatives. Under the proposed reform, science and engineering programmes will transition to ND and B.Tech degrees, while HND holders in non-science fields will retain progression pathways to postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees.
He said the reforms are part of broader efforts to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), noting recent interventions such as free technical education in Federal Technical Colleges, student stipends, nationwide skills training centres, and upgrades to engineering institutions.
Bugaje urged stakeholders to prioritise skills-based and industry-focused training rather than replicating the university model, stressing that polytechnics must produce practical, job-ready graduates.
Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for the reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the move as critical to ending the long-standing HND dichotomy and repositioning polytechnics as drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and national development.
The reforms align with sustained calls to eliminate discrimination against technically trained graduates and better match Nigeria’s education system with workforce and industrial needs.
