In a major reform of Nigeria’s tertiary education system, the Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the long-criticised Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy by empowering polytechnics to award degrees.
The policy, aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education, was unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a national retreat attended by governing council chairmen, commissioners for education, rectors, registrars and bursars of polytechnics across the country.
Dr. Alausa described the decision as a bold departure from decades of structural imbalance that placed polytechnic graduates at a disadvantage in the labour market, saying the reform would reposition polytechnics as centres of excellence while preserving their practical, industry-driven mandate.
He noted that Nigeria’s economic competitiveness depends on a workforce skilled in innovation, production and problem-solving, rather than an overreliance on theoretical training.
According to the minister, the reform aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth and sustainable human capital development.
With the new status, polytechnics are expected to benefit from stronger industry collaboration, improved funding opportunities and renewed public confidence. Dr. Alausa assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by strict quality assurance standards to meet international benchmarks.
Speaking under the theme “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” he reaffirmed that polytechnics remain central to building a skills-based economy.
He said the Ministry of Education has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates are prepared for modern workplaces and emerging industries.
Dr. Alausa challenged institutional leaders to deepen innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and private-sector partnerships, highlighting renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as priority areas.
On governance, he called for transparency and ethical leadership, urging prudent financial management, timely audits and zero tolerance for corruption.
He also urged polytechnics to embrace sustainability by expanding internally generated revenue, developing environmentally friendly campuses and investing in resilient infrastructure, adding that institutions should increasingly produce what they consume to reduce import dependence.
While acknowledging challenges such as inadequate funding, obsolete facilities and societal preference for university degrees, the minister maintained that the benefits of the reform far outweigh the obstacles.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s support, he announced a special TETFund intervention this year to modernise polytechnic engineering schools with advanced equipment, following a similar upgrade of 12 medical colleges last year.
Charging participants to return to their institutions as reform ambassadors, Dr. Alausa said:
“The future of our youth, our economy and our nation depends on the transformation we ignite here today.”
Education experts at the retreat described the policy as a watershed moment, predicting increased enrolment, improved staff morale and stronger contributions from polytechnics to manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.
Elijah Adeyemi
