Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has ordered the immediate termination of all Higher National Diploma (HND) to Bachelor of Science (BSc) conversion and top‑up degree programmes across Nigerian universities, a sweeping policy change that effectively blocks a popular academic pathway for polytechnic graduates seeking to upgrade their qualifications. The directive, communicated to universities through a circular, takes effect from the 2025/2026 academic session and has already prompted institutions such as Kwara State University, Malete, and Al‑Hikmah University, Ilorin, to suspend admissions into the affected programmes.
The decision means that holders of HND certificates who had relied on conversion or top‑up programmes to earn a university degree – often as a way to overcome systemic employment discrimination – will no longer have that option in Nigerian universities. While the NUC has not yet issued a detailed public statement explaining the rationale behind the ban, the commission has described the move as part of its regulatory mandate to uphold quality standards and curb what it views as irregular admission pathways. However, the sudden announcement has left thousands of students already enrolled in such programmes uncertain about their academic future, as the NUC has yet to provide guidelines on how those currently undergoing conversion studies will be treated.
In a public statement, Kwara State University announced that its Top‑Up/HND Conversion programme would end starting from the 2025/2026 academic session. “This discontinuation is in compliance with the regulations of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory body for all universities in Nigeria,” the statement read. The university added that the NUC would later provide guidance on the status of students currently enrolled in the programme. Similarly, Al‑Hikmah University, Ilorin, issued an immediate suspension of admissions into its top‑up degree programmes, stating that all future undergraduate admissions must be processed exclusively through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The ban has sparked anger and disappointment among HND students and polytechnic graduates. Speaking to Legit.ng, Lawal Taofeeq, an HND student at Kwara State Polytechnic, described the decision as painful. “If A’Level students through JUPEB, IJMB and diploma programmes can gain direct entry into universities to obtain degrees, why is HND conversion suddenly treated like a crime?” he asked. Another student, Mariam Bello, said the decision had triggered anxiety, noting that employers already discriminate against HND holders, and that conversion programmes were a lifeline. An National Diploma graduate, Shittu, said the development reflected a deeper problem: “The country keeps talking about skills and technical education, yet polytechnic students are constantly sidelined.”
The ban comes against the backdrop of a long‑standing debate over the dichotomy between HND and BSc degrees in Nigeria. HND holders have faced systemic discrimination in employment and career progression despite polytechnics being designed to produce technically skilled graduates. In January 2026, the Federal Government announced plans to empower polytechnics to award Bachelor’s degrees, but that policy has yet to be fully implemented. The NUC’s latest directive appears to contradict the spirit of that announcement. One of the most pressing concerns is the fate of students already enrolled in conversion programmes. While universities have stopped new admissions, no clear directive has been issued regarding those currently undergoing the programmes. Kwara State University stated that the NUC would provide additional directives “in due course,” but no timeline has been given.
The NUC’s ban marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s higher education policy, potentially widening the gap between university and polytechnic education. Critics argue that the decision runs counter to the government’s stated goal of promoting technical and vocational education. As of the time of this report, the NUC has not issued a detailed public statement explaining the reasons behind the ban. The commission is expected to release further guidelines in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the ban has reignited calls for the complete abolition of the HND/BSc dichotomy, with many arguing that the only lasting solution is to ensure equal treatment for polytechnic graduates in the labour market and academic progression.
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