The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced online programmes enabling holders of Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) to obtain Bachelor’s Degree certifications in one year.
According to NBTE, the “online Top-Up” programmes are with foreign authorised universities.
The Board’s Head of Media, Fatima Abubakar, said attempts in the past to get the National Universities Commission (NUC) to approve a two-year Master of Technology for HND holders in some Polytechnics did not see the light of the day.
“Many times HND Holders are forced to go for a one year Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) before they could be admitted into the Master’s Programme in Universities,” the statement partly read.
“The disadvantage of the PGD is that holders who continue to do Ph.D. and wish to migrate to a Nigerian University will always be queried to produce their first degree, even when they have Doctorates.
“To end this unwarranted prejudice, NBTE has now created this progression pathway for HND holders.”
The Board also highlighted mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a challenge facing HND holders.
“NBTE has now created a HND admission portal for use by all Polytechnics. Only accredited Programmes shall be visible on the portal and NYSC shall have viewing rights to know admitted candidates to be mobilised.
“This will hopefully bring an end to illegal HND admissions of unaccredited Programmes and at the same time ensure carrying capacities are adhered to for quality assurance,” the statement added.
The Board further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to sign the Bill removing the HND-BSc Dichotomy in the public service as passed by the 9th National Assembly, to end the discrimination against graduates of the polytechnic system.