FG To Scrap HND Dichotomy, Grant Polytechnics Degree-Awarding Powers
The Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the long-standing Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy by empowering polytechnics to award degrees, marking a major policy shift aimed at repositioning technical and vocational education as a catalyst for national development.
The Minister of Education disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing a high-level retreat involving council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars from polytechnics across the country.
Describing the move as a landmark reform, the minister said the decision would finally end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and elevate polytechnics into full-fledged centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education ecosystem.
According to him, the reform is designed to strengthen polytechnic education while preserving its defining advantage—hands-on, industry-oriented training. He noted that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on producing graduates who can create, build and solve real-world problems.
The minister 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 and increased public confidence.
He assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by strict standards, robust regulation and quality assurance frameworks to ensure global competitiveness and academic integrity.
Speaking on the theme “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” the minister described polytechnics as critical to building a skills-driven economy.
He said the ministry has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates are industry-ready, innovative and capable of driving economic growth.
Polytechnic leaders were urged to deepen innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and strong industry collaboration, with renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions identified as priority focus areas.
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On governance, the minister stressed that transparency, accountability and ethical leadership must define the new era of polytechnic administration. He called for fiscal discipline, timely audits, prudent resource management and zero tolerance for corruption.
He also emphasised sustainability, encouraging institutions to boost internally generated revenue through production and services, develop eco-friendly campuses and invest in resilient infrastructure. Polytechnics, he said, should aim to support national needs by reducing dependence on imports.
While acknowledging challenges such as funding gaps, outdated facilities and societal bias favouring university degrees, the minister said the opportunities ahead far outweigh the obstacles.
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He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting polytechnics through policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades and strategic partnerships.
The minister further announced a special TETFund intervention this year to upgrade polytechnic engineering schools with modern equipment, following a similar intervention for medical colleges last year.
Charging participants to return to their institutions as agents of change, he said the future of Nigeria’s youth, economy and national development depends on the success of the transformation being initiated.
Education experts at the retreat described the announcement as a turning point that would boost enrolment, motivate students and staff, and significantly strengthen the contribution of polytechnics to sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.