After decades of complaints over unequal treatment of graduates, the Federal Government has announced plans to end the HND–degree Discrimination by empowering polytechnics to award degrees nationwide.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the policy shift in Abuja at a retreat for education commissioners, governing council chairmen and top management of polytechnics, describing the move as central to building a workforce capable of driving industrial growth and innovation.
“This reform marks a new chapter for technical education in Nigeria, We can no longer afford a system that limits our young people,Our future depends on a workforce equipped to create, build and solve real-world problems,” Alausa said.
Rather than focusing only on equity for graduates, the minister framed the reform as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future competitiveness, saying the country must produce professionals who can “create, build and solve real-world problems.”
Under the new arrangement, polytechnics will retain their tradition of hands on, industry oriented training while gaining degree awarding status, a development expected to attract stronger partnerships with the private sector, improve funding access and raise public confidence in technical education.
“With degree awarding status, polytechnics will stand as centres of excellence and innovation, This will open doors to stronger industry collaboration and better opportunities for our students,” Alausa said.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the initiative fits into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places human capital development and job creation at the heart of national recovery efforts. He added that clear standards, strict regulation and quality assurance would guide the transition to ensure that graduates meet global benchmarks.
“We will ensure that quality is not compromised, Strong regulation and global standards will guide this transition,’’ he assured
Highlighting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a priority, the minister urged institutions to deepen innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and closer collaboration with industry, with special focus on renewable energy, digital manufacturing, agri-technology and climate resilient solutions.
“Polytechnics must become hubs of innovation, Renewable energy, digital manufacturing and agri-technology must now take centre stage,’’ he said.
He also warned that the success of the reform would depend on governance, insisting on transparency, ethical leadership, fiscal discipline and zero tolerance for corruption in polytechnic administration.
“Transparency and accountability must define this new era, There will be zero tolerance for corruption,’’Alausa cautioned.
On sustainability, Alausa encouraged institutions to boost internally generated revenue, develop eco-friendly campuses and expand production and service units to support national self-reliance and reduce import dependence.
“Polytechnics should aim to produce what they consume and reduce our dependence on imports,” he said.
Acknowledging persistent challenges including funding shortfalls, obsolete facilities and societal preference for university degrees the minister Stressed the opportunities ahead outweighed the obstacles.
He announced a special TETFund intervention this year to equip polytechnic engineering schools with modern facilities.
“This year, TETFund will intervene specially to upgrade engineering schools with state-of-the-art equipment,” he disclosed.
Education stakeholders at the retreat hailed the announcement as a watershed moment, predicting higher enrolment, renewed staff motivation and stronger contributions from polytechnics to sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.
One participant described the reform as “a turning point that will finally give polytechnic education the dignity and relevance it deserves.”