The Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the long-standing dichotomy between Higher National Diploma holders and university degree graduates by empowering polytechnics in Nigeria to award degrees.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja while addressing a high-level retreat attended by council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars of tertiary institutions.
Alausa described the proposed reform as a major policy shift that would finally end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and reposition technical and vocational education as a key driver of national development.
He said, “This reform will put an end to the unfair treatment of polytechnic graduates and elevate our polytechnics into centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system.”
According to him, granting degree-awarding status to polytechnics would strengthen their role while still preserving their core focus on practical, hands-on and industry-based training.
The minister said Nigeria’s future competitiveness depended largely on a workforce that could create, build and solve real-life problems, stressing that technical education must no longer be treated as inferior.
“This policy aligns fully with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places priority on job creation, industrial growth and human capital development,” he said.
Alausa explained that with degree-awarding powers, polytechnics would be better positioned to attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding and increased public confidence in their graduates.
He assured stakeholders that the transition would be carefully managed, adding that strict standards, effective regulation and strong quality assurance mechanisms would guide the process to ensure global competitiveness.
Speaking on the theme of the retreat, “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” the minister said polytechnics were central to building a skills-driven economy.
He noted that the ministry had placed strong emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training to ensure graduates were industry-ready, innovative and capable of driving economic growth.
“We want graduates who can fit directly into industry, create solutions and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Alausa said.
He urged polytechnic administrators to promote innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and stronger partnerships with industry, identifying areas such as renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as priority sectors.
On governance, the minister warned that transparency, accountability and ethical leadership must define the new phase of polytechnic administration.
“Fiscal discipline, timely audits, prudent management of resources and zero tolerance for corruption are not negotiable,” he said.
Alausa also stressed the importance of sustainability, encouraging polytechnics to boost internally generated revenue through production and services, develop eco-friendly campuses and invest in resilient infrastructure.
He said institutions should aim to produce some of what they consume and support national needs by reducing dependence on imports.
While acknowledging challenges such as funding gaps, outdated facilities and societal preference for university degrees, the minister said the opportunities ahead were far greater.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting polytechnics through policy reforms, infrastructure development and strategic partnerships.
The minister also announced that a special TETFund intervention would be implemented this year to upgrade polytechnic engineering schools with modern equipment, following a similar intervention for 12 medical colleges last year.
Charging participants to return to their institutions as change drivers, Alausa said, “The future of our youth, our economy and our nation depends on the transformation we ignite here today.”
Education experts at the retreat described the announcement as a turning point for Nigeria’s education sector, saying it would improve enrolment, motivate students and staff, and strengthen the contribution of polytechnics to sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.
