The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has expressed its displeasure with the National Universities Commission (NUC) for opposing its introduction of a one-year top-up programme. This programme 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 polytechnic graduates to convert their HND to bachelor’s degree certificates.
However, the NUC objected to the plan, stating that it falls outside the jurisdiction of the NBTE. The NUC expressed its disagreement with the degree conversion programmes for HND graduates of Nigerian polytechnics in a statement released over the weekend.
In response, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Bugaje, strongly criticized NUC’s stance on the conversion policy in a letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
Fatima Abubakar, the spokesperson for NBTE, quoted Prof Bugaje on Monday, advising NUC against discriminating further against HND graduates.
In part, the NBTE’s letter to the minister states: “I write 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 the foreign degrees after the 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 much respected globally. Many European countries give them direct admissions for Masters. A shining example was Miss Islamiyat Ojelade, an HND Distinction in Science Lab Technology (Biochemistry) graduate from the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, who last year received PhD admissions and scholarships from seven top US universities without a BSc or even MSc.”
