News Desk
The National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, has introduced an online top-up program
allowing holders of Higher National Diplomas to upgrade their credentials to a Bachelor’s
Degree through an online top-up for one year at colleges recognized by international
governments.
The board disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday by its
Head of Media Unit, Mrs Fatima Abubakar.
Abubakar said this was also to facilitate the progression of HND holders to higher degrees.
“Attempts in the past to get the National Universities Commission 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 before they
could be admitted into the Master’s Program in universities.
“The disadvantage of the PGD is that holders who continue to do PhD 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. This can be accessed at https://topup.nbte.gov.ng,” she said.
Abubakar added that another challenge facing many polytechnic HND graduates was
mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps.
According to her, many are admitted into non-accredited programmes and after the HND, they
are not mobilised for the NYSC.
“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.
“Finally, the board wishes to appeal to Mr President to please sign the bill removing the HND-
BSc Dichotomy in the public service as passed by the last National Assembly.
“This is to end the unjust and undeserved discrimination against graduates of the polytechnic
system,” she said.
She further said that the absence of legal backing necessitated the board to find ways of
enhancing the standing of HND holders.
Abubakar said that this must be done because the HND holders in reality hold the key to
Nigeria’s industrialization and key skills for delivery of needed infrastructure in the country.
Techrectory with Agency Report
