By The9jaTREND
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has ordered Nigerian universities to immediately discontinue all Higher National Diploma (HND) to Bachelor of Science ( BSc) conversion and top-up degree programmes across the country, triggering uncertainty among thousands of polytechnic graduates seeking academic advancement.
The directive, which reportedly takes effect from the 2025/2026 academic session, has already been implemented by several universities, including Kwara State University and Al-Hikmah University, both of which announced the suspension of admissions into their top-up and conversion programmes.
In a statement signed by its Registrar, Dr. Kikelomo Sallee, Kwara State University said the discontinuation was in compliance with regulations issued by the National Universities Commission, the agency responsible for regulating university education in Nigeria.
“This is to inform the public that Kwara State University, Malete, will discontinue its Top Up/HND Conversion programme from the 2025/2026 academic session,”the university stated.
The institution further disclosed that the NUC would later provide directives regarding students currently enrolled in the programme.
Similarly, Al-Hikmah University announced the immediate suspension of admissions into its top-up degree programmes, adding that all undergraduate admissions would henceforth be processed strictly through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The development marks a major policy shift in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, where HND conversion programmes had become increasingly popular among polytechnic graduates seeking university degrees to improve employment opportunities and overcome the long-standing disparity between HND and BSc holders.
For years, holders of Higher National Diplomas (HND) have complained about discrimination in recruitment, career progression, and public service placements, despite repeated legislative efforts to abolish the dichotomy between university degrees and polytechnic qualifications.
The conversion programmes, offered by several public and private universities, provided a pathway for HND graduates to obtain bachelor’s degrees through one- or two-year academic programmes. Institutions such as Lagos State University, University of Abuja, and Osun State University had operated various forms of top-up schemes in recent years.
Although the NUC is yet to issue a comprehensive public explanation for the directive, reports suggest the move may be connected to ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s polytechnic education system, including discussions around converting polytechnics into degree-awarding institutions.
The decision has already sparked reactions among students and education stakeholders, with many HND holders expressing fears that the policy could further limit opportunities for polytechnic graduates. Some affected students described the move as unfair, arguing that conversion programmes were one of the few available routes to bridge the qualification gap in the labour market.
Despite growing concerns, the National Universities Commission has yet to officially clarify the status of students currently undergoing conversion studies or whether transitional arrangements would be introduced for affected candidates.
…Source: NGN News