January 21, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a sweeping reform of the country’s higher education system, moving to abolish the long-standing distinction between Higher National Diploma (HND) and university degrees by empowering polytechnics to award full bachelor’s degrees. The policy, unveiled on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, aims to eliminate what officials describe as discrimination against polytechnic graduates and reposition technical education as a key driver of national development.
At a high-level retreat in Abuja attended by education commissioners, polytechnic rectors and other stakeholders, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa termed the reform a “landmark policy shift” that will elevate polytechnics into centres of excellence and end decades of perceived professional bias against HND holders.
The proposed reform is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth, innovation and human capital development as essential pillars of economic progress. By granting degree-awarding status to polytechnics, the government says it intends to nurture a skills-driven workforce capable of addressing real-world challenges and boosting national competitiveness.
Under the policy, polytechnics will maintain their hands-on, industry-focused training while developing degree programmes in fields such as engineering, technology, renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions priority sectors identified for Nigeria’s sustainable growth. Alausa emphasised the importance of clear regulatory standards, quality assurance mechanisms and strong oversight to ensure the new degrees meet global competitiveness criteria.
Education experts and polytechnic stakeholders welcomed the announcement. Many have long argued that the HND dichotomy which historically placed HND holders at a perceived disadvantage compared with university degree holders in employment and academic progression has hindered the evolution of Nigeria’s technical and vocational education sector. Past advocacy by student groups and educators sought a formal end to this disparity, including legislative efforts in the National Assembly to empower polytechnics to award degrees.
The Minister also called for transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in polytechnic leadership to harness the full benefits of the reform, warning against corruption and urging institutions to bolster their internal revenue generation and industry partnerships. He announced that the government will support the transition with targeted financial interventions, including equipment upgrades for key engineering schools through TETFund and enhanced infrastructure investments.
Critics of the old system have long pointed to the HND–Bachelor’s dichotomy as a structural inequity that discouraged technical education and limited career prospects for vocational graduates. Empowering polytechnics to award degrees is expected to boost enrolment, deepen public confidence in technical training and expand opportunities for Nigerian youths in both local industries and international labour markets.
As the reform rolls out, the government has pledged further consultations with regulators, accreditation bodies, industry partners and educational stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and uphold the quality of Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.