The Federal Executive Council has given approval for the scrapping of the award of the higher national diploma (HND) in polytechnics of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

The Guardian reported that it was a subtle decision that drew no rancour or debates among the ministers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.

The FEC also decided to limit the award of certificates by polytechnics to National Diploma (ND) and turn the institutions to campuses of proximate universities.

The decisions and approval were part of a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s tertiary education system according to Guardian reports.

Starnews gathered that all the programmes run by the polytechnics, which are not technology-based, are expected to be scrapped.

The polytechnics are expected to become campuses of proximate universities, and the vice chancellors of those universities will be saddled with the responsibility, under the new system, to appoint provosts for the polytechnics. This appointment, according to the new policy, is subject to the ratification of the universities’ councils

The Guardian hinted that the polytechnics will now be limited to award of the National Diploma (ND) while students that proceed to further their education will be awarded the Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) by the proximate university.

To kick off the new system of tertiary education, plans are underway to rename two of the country’s polytechnics – Yaba College of Technology and Kaduna Polytechnic – to City University of Technology, Yaba, Lagos and City University of Technology, Kaduna.. An executive bill has been approved by the government for submission to the National Assembly to that effect.

More to follow..