The Federal Government has disclosed that it has concluded plans to empower polytechnics in Nigeria to award degrees as part of the government policy aimed at ending the Higher National Diploma (HND)/degree dichotomy which has greatly caused discrimination against polytechnic graduates in the country for decades.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja at a high-level retreat on attended by governing council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars of polytechnics nationwide.
The minister who described the move as a landmark policy shift, states the reform would eliminate decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and reposition the institutions as centres of excellence in technical and vocational education. According to him, the new policy is designed to strengthen polytechnic education while preserving its core advantage of hands-on, industry-focused training.
According to him, “Our future competitiveness as a nation depends on a workforce that can create, build and solve real-world problems.” He explained that the reform aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial expansion and human capital development.
Dr. Alausa said that with degree-awarding status polytechnics would be better positioned to attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding opportunities and increased public confidence. He assured stakeholders that the transition would be implemented under strict regulatory standards and quality assurance frameworks to ensure global competitiveness and academic integrity.
Speaking on the theme of the retreat, “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” the minister described polytechnics as critical to building a skills-driven economy. He noted that the ministry had prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates were industry-ready, innovative and capable of driving economic growth
The minster urged polytechnic administrators to promote innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and strategic industry collaborations, identifying renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as key focus areas. On governance, the minister warned that the success of the reform would depend on transparency, accountability and ethical leadership, stressing the need for fiscal discipline, timely audits, prudent resource management and zero tolerance for corruption. He also emphasised sustainability, encouraging institutions to expand internally generated revenue through production and services, develop eco-friendly campuses and build resilient infrastructure. “Polytechnics should aim to produce what they consume and support national needs by reducing dependence on imports,” he said. While acknowledging challenges such as funding constraints, outdated facilities and societal bias in favour of university degrees, Alausa said the opportunities presented by the reform far outweighed the obstacles. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting polytechnics through policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades and strategic partnerships. The minister also announced a special TETFund intervention this year to upgrade polytechnic engineering schools with modern equipment, following a similar intervention for 12 medical colleges in the previous year
The minster charged participants at the retreat to return to their institutions as agents of change, he reiterated that “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 policy direction as a turning point for the sector, saying it would boost enrolment, motivate students and staff, and enhance the contribution of polytechnics to key sectors including manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.
