NBTE Launches One-Year Programme For HND Conversion to BSc

The National Board for Technical Education has unveiled a one-year online top-up programme for Higher National Diploma holders HND to convert their certification to Bachelor’s Degree.

According to the Board, the online top-up programme would be done with foreign accredited universities.

Head of Media Unit, NBTE, Fatima Abubakar, in a statement made available to newsmen, said this would facilitate the progression of HND holders to higher degrees instead of the postgraduate diploma programme.

Read Also: Abolish Colonial Legacy of HND/BSc Dichotomy – NAPS

She said the Board said this would also end the unwarranted prejudice, where HND holders after undertaking PGD to enable them to enrol for a Master’s degree would still be queried after proceeding to do PhD and wish to migrate to a Nigerian University, adding that such affected persons were usually asked by the University authorities to produce their first degree, even when they have acquired doctorate degree.

She said attempts in the past to get the National Universities Commission (NUC) to approve a two-year Master of Technology for HND holders in some Polytechnics did not see the light of the day.

She also noted that NBTE has created an HND admission portal for use by all Polytechnics for ease of mobilisation for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Scheme.

The Board has accordingly appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent into law the Bill removing the HND-BSc Dichotomy in the public service as passed by the last National Assembly.

Only accredited Programmes shall be visible on the portal, and NYSC shall have viewing rights to know the admitted candidates to be mobilised.

This will hopefully bring an end to illegal HND admissions from unaccredited Programmes and, at the same time, ensure carrying capacities are adhered to for quality assurance.