The federal government has announced plans to end the long-standing Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy by granting polytechnics the authority to award degrees, a move aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education and boosting national development.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing a high-level retreat of council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars. According to him, the reform is intended to place polytechnic education on a stronger footing, while preserving its core strength in hands-on, industry-focused training critical to economic growth.
Dr. Alausa noted that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on a workforce equipped to create, build and solve real-world problems, stressing that technical institutions must play a central role in meeting that demand.
He explained that the policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial expansion and human capital development. With degree-awarding status, polytechnics are expected to attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding opportunities and greater public confidence in their graduates.
The minister assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by clear standards, robust regulation and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure global competitiveness. Speaking on the theme, “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” he described polytechnics as critical drivers of a skills-based economy.
He added that the ministry had prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates are industry-ready, innovative and capable of driving economic growth. Dr. Alausa urged polytechnic leaders to entrench innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and strong industry partnerships, identifying renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as key priority areas.