Students seeking admission into Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Nigerian polytechnics will now have their admissions processed through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), following a new directive from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The development means polytechnics and other NBTE-regulated institutions will no longer independently process HND admissions as they have done in the past.
Key Highlights
- JAMB will take over the processing of HND admissions in NBTE-regulated institutions.
- Polytechnics will no longer handle HND admissions entirely on their own.
- The directive is aimed at addressing illegal and compromised admissions.
- The announcement does not state that ND graduates must sit for UTME again.
- NBTE will develop new HND admission guidelines for the new system.
JAMB takes over HND admissions
According to a circular issued by NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, the decision followed a meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Education, JAMB, NBTE, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other stakeholders.
The NBTE said the move was aimed at creating a centralised admission process and addressing cases of illegal and compromised admissions that have affected some graduates, particularly during NYSC mobilisation after completing their HND programmes.
The circular stated: “All HND admissions in all institutions shall, from this session, be taken over by JAMB to provide a centralised process and avoid illegal and compromised admissions, jeopardising students’ mobilisation for NYSC after HND.”
JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, also confirmed the development, saying the board would comply with the directive.
“It’s a directive from above, and ours is to comply to ensure that the good intentions of the government are achieved,” he said.
How HND admissions were handled before
Before the new arrangement, HND admissions were handled directly by individual polytechnics.
Students who completed their National Diploma (ND) programmes usually applied to their preferred institutions, obtained HND application forms, underwent the required screening process and received admission offers directly from the polytechnics.
Under the new arrangement, JAMB will manage the admission process, while NBTE is expected to develop guidelines to regulate how HND admissions will be conducted.
Five things students should know about the new HND admission process
1. Polytechnics will no longer process HND admissions alone
The biggest change is that HND admission will move from an institution-based process to a centralised system managed by JAMB.
Previously, individual polytechnics handled HND applications, screening and admission decisions. Under the new arrangement, JAMB will oversee the process.
2. ND graduates will not automatically have to write UTME again
The directive does not state that candidates seeking HND admission must sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The announcement focuses on JAMB taking over the HND admission process. NBTE is expected to release guidelines explaining how the new system will operate.
3. The policy covers NBTE-regulated institutions
The directive applies to polytechnics and other institutions under NBTE supervision that offer HND programmes.
Candidates seeking HND admission in affected institutions will therefore be expected to follow the new centralised process once implementation begins.
4. Government says the move will tackle irregular admissions
The NBTE said the decision was taken to prevent illegal and compromised admissions, which it said had created problems for some graduates during NYSC mobilisation.
With admission records managed through a central system, authorities aim to improve transparency and ensure that graduates’ credentials are properly documented.
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5. New HND admission guidelines are expected
NBTE said it would prepare fresh HND admission guidelines and submit them to JAMB to guide the operation of the digital admission platform.
The guidelines are expected to clarify important details, including application procedures, admission requirements and other conditions for candidates progressing from ND to HND.
Major change to Nigeria’s polytechnic admission system
The new policy represents a significant change in Nigeria’s HND admission system, as JAMB expands its role in the processing of admissions to include HND programmes.
The implementation details will become clearer when NBTE releases the new guidelines outlining how candidates, polytechnics and other affected institutions will participate in the centralised HND admission process.
