The Federal Government has unveiled a major policy shift aimed at abolishing the long-standing dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s degree qualifications by empowering polytechnics to award degrees. The move, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was made during a high-level retreat for education stakeholders in Abuja on Wednesday.
Describing the initiative as a landmark reform, Dr. Alausa said the decision is designed to end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and reposition polytechnics as centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system. He stressed that the policy would preserve the practical and industry-oriented nature of polytechnic training while aligning certification with global standards.
According to the minister, the reform aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth and human capital development. He noted that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on a skilled workforce capable of solving real-world problems.
Under the new framework, polytechnics will be authorised to award degree qualifications, enabling them to attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding opportunities and greater public confidence. Dr. Alausa assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by clear standards, robust regulation and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure global competitiveness.
Speaking on the theme “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” the minister emphasised that polytechnics are critical to building a skills-driven economy. He said the Ministry has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates are industry-ready, innovative and capable of driving economic growth.
Dr. Alausa also urged polytechnic administrators to entrench innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs, and strong industry collaborations, identifying renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as priority areas. Transparency, accountability and ethical leadership were highlighted as essential governance principles moving forward.
To support implementation, the minister announced a special TETFund intervention for modernising polytechnic engineering schools with state-of-the-art equipment, following similar upgrades to medical colleges last year.
Education experts at the retreat welcomed the announcement, describing it as a turning point that could boost enrolment, motivate students and staff, and strengthen polytechnics’ contributions to key sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.
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