The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has unveiled online programmes for Higher National Diploma (HND) holders to acquire Bachelor’s Degree certificates within one year.
The “online Top-Up” programmes, according to NBTE, is with foreign accredited universities.
Fatima Abubakar, the Board’s Head of Media, said previous attempts to obtain the National Universities Commission (NUC) to authorize a two-year Master of Technology for HND holders in various Polytechnics failed.
“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 also urged President Bola Tinubu to sign the Bill eliminating the HND-BSc Dichotomy in the Public Service, which was passed by the 9th National Assembly, to stop discrimination against polytechnic graduates.
