The Federal Government has said the ongoing amendment of the Polytechnic Act is aimed at empowering polytechnics in the country to award degree programmes.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known in Abuja while addressing a high-level retreat involving commissioners for education, polytechnic rectors, registrars and bursars from across the country.
Alausa described the move as a landmark policy shift that would end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and reposition polytechnics as centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system.
He said, “Ongoing amendments to the Polytechnic Act are aimed at addressing the HND dichotomy and elevating the status of polytechnic qualifications, including enabling polytechnics to award degrees.”
According to the minister, the reform will strengthen polytechnic education while preserving its core mandate of hands-on, industry-driven training.
Alausa noted that the policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth and human capital development.
He added that with degree-awarding status, polytechnics are expected to attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding opportunities and increased public confidence.
The minister also assured stakeholders that quality would not be compromised, stressing that the transition would be guided by clear standards, effective regulation and robust quality assurance mechanisms to ensure global competitiveness.
