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.
Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, disclosed this at a retreat for governing council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars in Abuja.
He said the reform is part of the ongoing amendment of the Polytechnic Act, which has passed second reading in the House of Representatives. Under the new framework, polytechnics will award ND and B.Tech degrees in science and engineering fields, while non-science programmes will remain under the Higher National Diploma (HND) system, with clear progression routes to postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees.
Bugaje said recent policy actions have strengthened Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), citing free technical education in Federal Technical Colleges, stipends to boost enrolment, the establishment of Skills Training Centres nationwide and the upgrading of engineering schools.
He urged polytechnics to focus on skills-based education and producing industry-ready graduates, rather than replicating the university system.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating the HND dichotomy under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He called on polytechnics to lead in innovation, entrepreneurship and industry partnerships, and to strengthen transparency, accountability and sustainable funding models.
Chairman of the Committee of Heads of Federal Polytechnics (COHEADS), Dr Sani Tunga, identified key challenges facing polytechnics, including inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure and governance gaps.
The proposed reform follows long-standing calls to end the HND-bachelor’s degree divide, which critics say limits career opportunities for technically trained graduates.
Lawmakers are currently considering a bill to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act to allow polytechnics confer B.Tech degrees and align technical education with workforce needs.
1 Comment
I can’t wait to see this come to be