THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTED THE AWARDING OF DEGREES IN POLYTECHNICS

The Federal Government has announced plans to finally abolish the long-standing dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s degree holders, a policy shift expected to significantly reshape Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

The proposed reform, disclosed by officials in the education sector, would allow accredited polytechnics to award bachelor’s degrees, effectively placing them on the same academic footing as universities. The move is also expected to address decades of discrimination faced by HND holders in employment opportunities, career advancement, and public service appointments.

According to the government, the initiative is part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s technical and vocational education framework and align it with global best practices. In many advanced economies, polytechnics and universities function as complementary institutions, each playing distinct but equally valued roles in national development.

Education stakeholders have long criticised the HND–degree divide, arguing that it undermines technical education and discourages students from enrolling in polytechnics despite their strong practical orientation. The new policy is expected to boost the relevance of polytechnic education, strengthen skills development, and better position graduates for both local and international competitiveness