In a bid to eliminate the dichotomy between Bachelor’s Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND), the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to repositioning polytechnics as innovation and skills powerhouses, aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Specifically, the reforms will include the abolishment of the long-standing Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy by empowering polytechnics to award degrees in their accredited courses.
Speaking while flagging off comprehensive polytechnic reforms at the COHEADS retreat in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the move as a landmark policy shift that would end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and reposition polytechnics as centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system.
Stressing that the reform would strengthen polytechnic education while preserving its core focus on hands-on, industry-driven training critical to national growth, Alausa noted that granting degree-awarding status to polytechnics would attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding opportunities, and increased public confidence in the institutions.
According to him, the transition would be guided by clear standards, effective regulation, and robust quality assurance mechanisms to ensure global competitiveness.
He pointed out that polytechnic reforms would prioritise TVET, industry partnerships, entrepreneurship centres, and innovation in energy, agriculture, digital manufacturing, and climate solutions..
