The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the National Universities Commission (NUC) for opposing its recent introduction of a one-year top-up programme. The program allows graduates of polytechnics to convert their Higher National Diploma (HND) to bachelor’s degree certificates.
Recently, the NBTE announced the introduction of a one-year top-up programme for graduates of polytechnics, enabling them to convert their HND to bachelor’s degree certificates.
However, the NUC released a statement over the weekend, objecting to the plan and claiming that it falls outside the purview of the NBTE.
In response to NUC’s opposition, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Bugaje, strongly expressed the board’s dissatisfaction with NUC’s stance on the conversion policy. This was done through a letter sent to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
NBTE spokesperson, Fatima Abubakar, quoted Prof. Bugaje’s advice to NUC, urging them to avoid further discrimination against HND graduates.
In part, the NBTE letter to the minister states: “I am writing to update you on the media response last week of the National Universities Commission of Nigeria to an NBTE-initiated progression for HND holders through the top-up programme in foreign (offshore) accredited universities.
“Only the FME Division of Evaluation and Accreditation has the power to assess foreign degrees after students have graduated and may seek that.
“NBTE only provides HND curricula content for credit mapping and eventual credit transfer admissions. The admissions are made by foreign universities, and their Senates make awards of degrees, not NBTE. In fact, the entire process is designed to operate seamlessly without NBTE.
“NBTE also has no financial benefit in the whole exercise, though we requested low tuition of a maximum of about 10% of regular fees since course delivery is online.
“Online programmes are today a globally accepted mode of education delivery, especially in the 21st century. Nigerian educational policy has accommodated that, with an open university approved by the Federal Government and NBTE-approved open distance flexible and e-learning centres being operated by 36 polytechnics at the moment, and the number is growing.
“Nigerian HNDs are highly respected globally. Many European countries offer direct admissions for Masters to HND holders. A shining example is Miss Islamiyat Ojelade, an HND Distinction in Science Lab Technology (Biochemistry) graduate from the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, who received PhD admissions and scholarships from seven top US universities last year without a BSc or even MSc.”
