The Federal Government has unveiled plans to end the long-standing Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy by granting polytechnics across Nigeria the authority to award degrees. The wide-ranging reform is intended to reposition technical and vocational education as a key driver of national development. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday while speaking at a high-level retreat involving council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars. He described the move as a major policy shift that would eliminate decades of disadvantage faced by polytechnic graduates and reposition polytechnics as centres of excellence within the country’s higher education system.
The minister said the reform aims to strengthen polytechnic education while maintaining its practical, industry-oriented training focus. He stressed that Nigeria’s future competitiveness relies on a workforce equipped to create, build and address real-life challenges. Dr. Alausa noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises job creation, industrial expansion and human capital development. He explained that degree-awarding status would enable polytechnics to attract stronger partnerships with industry, access better funding opportunities and gain greater public trust.
He assured stakeholders that the transition would be implemented under clear guidelines, robust regulation and effective quality assurance systems to guarantee that graduates meet global standards. Speaking on the theme, “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” he described polytechnics as vital to building a skills-based economy. He added that the ministry has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates are well-prepared for industry, innovative and capable of driving economic growth.
The minister called on polytechnic administrators to embed innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research facilities and strong industry collaborations. He identified renewable energy, agricultural technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as key areas of focus.Addressing governance, he cautioned that the success of the reform depends on transparency, accountability and ethical leadership. He urged institutions to uphold fiscal discipline, conduct regular audits, manage resources responsibly and maintain zero tolerance for corruption.
Dr. Alausa also highlighted the importance of sustainability, encouraging polytechnics to increase internally generated revenue through production and service delivery, develop environmentally friendly campuses and invest in resilient infrastructure. He said institutions should strive to produce what they consume and contribute to national needs by reducing reliance on imports.
He further announced a special TETFund intervention scheduled for this year to modernise polytechnic engineering schools with advanced equipment, following a similar intervention for 12 medical colleges last year.Urging participants to return to their institutions as drivers of change, the minister said Nigeria’s youth, economy and overall development depend on the successful transformation triggered by the reform. Education experts at the retreat described the announcement as a milestone, noting that it would increase enrolment, boost morale among students and staff, and enhance the role of polytechnics in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.
Source: https://realitynewstoday.com.ng/
