This may be about the most expected news for polytechnics education and
graduates of the Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in the country.
The HND dichotomy that has placed hurdles on the career and academic
progression of polytechnics education graduates appears set to become a thing of
the past.
The federal government in Abuja yesterday, announced plans to empower
polytechnics to award degrees and not just HND certificates.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the move in key
stakeholders in the education sector, which included commissioners of education,
rectors, registrars’ bursars and council chairmen.
He spoke at a retreat with the theme: “Transforming Polytechnic Education in
Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National
Development”.
Harping on the importance of polytechnics education to the skills development
quests of the nation, he said the removal of the dichotomy would elevate
polytechnics into centres of excellence.
For Nigeria to be competitive it woulg need an education that promotes skills-
based training which he said is a core content of polytechnics education.
He identified job creation, industrial growth and human capital development as key
components of education at the stream saying it also aligns with the President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
He urged polytechnic leaders to entrench innovation through entrepreneurship
centres, research hubs and robust industry partnerships, identifying renewable
energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as
priority areas.
The latest development would be a welcome development to poly graduates who
before now have been marginalised and discriminated against.
