The Federal Government has announced a landmark reform abolishing the long-standing Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy, granting polytechnics the authority to award degrees.
The policy, aimed at repositioning technical and vocational education as a driver of national development, was disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during a retreat of education stakeholders.
Alausa described the move as “a landmark policy shift that will end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates.”
He explained that the reform would elevate polytechnics into centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system, while preserving their core strength in hands-on, industry-focused training.
“This reform will place polytechnic education on a stronger footing, without losing its practical orientation,” he said.
Alignment with National Agenda
The minister noted that the policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth and human capital development.
He stressed that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on a workforce equipped to create, build and solve real-world problems, adding that polytechnics are central to achieving that goal.
With degree-awarding status, he said, polytechnics are expected to attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding opportunities and greater public confidence.
Alausa assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by clear standards, strong regulation and robust quality assurance mechanisms to ensure global competitiveness.
He urged polytechnic leaders to entrench innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and industry linkages, identifying renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as priority areas for research and development.
On governance, he warned that transparency, accountability and ethical leadership must define the new era of polytechnic administration, calling for fiscal discipline, timely audits, prudent resource management and zero tolerance for corruption.
Reactions and Next Steps
While acknowledging challenges such as funding gaps, outdated facilities and societal bias in favour of university degrees, Alausa said the opportunities ahead far outweigh the constraints.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting polytechnics through policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades and partnerships.
He further announced a special TETFund intervention this year to upgrade polytechnic engineering schools with state-of-the-art equipment, following a similar intervention for 12 medical colleges last year.
Charging participants to return to their institutions as agents of transformation, Alausa declared: “The future of our youth, our economy and our nation depends on the transformation we ignite here today.”
Education experts at the retreat hailed the announcement as a turning point for technical education, saying it would boost enrolment, motivate students and staff, and strengthen the contribution of polytechnics to sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.
This reform marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s educational history, promising to elevate polytechnic education to equal standing with universities while reinforcing its vital role in building a skills-driven economy.
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