The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has clarified that the newly introduced online top-up programme for Higher National Diploma (HND) holders, which enables them to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree within one year from foreign accredited universities, is not intended for all HND holders, but specifically for those interested in pursuing an academic career.
During the unveiling of the programme earlier this month, Professor Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, emphasized that this initiative was aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by HND holders in the country.
Hajia Fatima Abubakar, the Head of Media Unit at NBTE, released a statement on Tuesday to provide further clarity. She explained that the programme is designed for individuals who intend to pursue a career in an academic environment, such as teaching and research in polytechnics or universities.
Abubakar stated, “This top-up programme serves as an alternative to the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) offered by Nigerian universities. In a democratic society like ours, HND holders should have the freedom to choose between pursuing a PGD or opting for the top-up to obtain a BSc degree.”
The statement by NBTE addressed the misunderstandings surrounding the relevance and objective of the programme, which were perpetuated by certain sections of the media. It emphasized that the top-up programme does not herald the end of HND programmes in polytechnics. Instead, it provides an additional option for HND holders who aspire to embark on an academic career. The decision to initiate the programme in collaboration with foreign universities was meant to showcase its universal credibility and, perhaps, encourage Nigerian universities to adopt the concept in the future.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted that the cost of the top-up programme is reasonable, representing approximately 10 percent of the tuition fees paid by regular face-to-face students.
The aim of implementing this programme, as stated by NBTE, is to ensure that interested HND holders in polytechnics possess qualifications equivalent to those of their counterparts with a Bachelor’s degree. It also intends to facilitate the pursuit of Master’s and Doctorate degrees for individuals interested in an academic career.
Professor Bugaje emphasized, “Presently, there are many PhD holders who, having obtained their HND and progressed through a PGD, are returning to Nigerian universities to enroll for a BSc degree. This is a regressive step.”
He added, “The HND qualification itself holds a distinctive value, and the top-up programme will serve as encouragement for candidates to apply for polytechnic education, as it offers a pathway for academic progression. Rather than diluting the essence of technical education, it will enhance it.”
It is crucial to note that the HND top-up programme, with its focus on academic advancement, is not intended for all HND holders. Instead, it offers a specialized opportunity for those passionate about pursuing a career in the academic realm, providing them with a strategic pathway for professional growth.
