NBTE Mandates JAMB HND Admissions For Nigeria Polytechnics

• JAMB will now manage all Higher National Diploma (HND) admissions for polytechnics, allied institutions, and colleges of nursing sciences and health technology in Nigeria.
• The decision, communicated via a September 9, 2026 circular from NBTE, aims to centralize admissions, curb illegal practices, and prevent issues with NYSC mobilisation.
• NBTE is tasked with developing new HND admission guidelines for JAMB's digital platform, including rules for ND holders' waiting periods and specific program exemptions.
• Part-time National Diploma (ND) admissions are also now under JAMB, with part-time student quotas capped at 50% of an institution's approved full-time capacity.
• Institutions face strict compliance requirements, with potential regulatory sanctions, including operational license withdrawal, for any breaches of the new directives.

Rectors and provosts have been issued a stern warning regarding strict compliance with these new regulations.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced a significant overhaul of the Higher National Diploma (HND) admission process across Nigeria, mandating that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will now oversee all HND admissions. This directive encompasses polytechnics, allied institutions, and colleges of nursing sciences and health technology, marking a pivotal change in how students gain entry into these programs.

The decision was formally communicated through a circular dated September 9, 2026, which PUNCH Online reviewed on a Saturday. The circular, signed by NBTE Executive Secretary Professor Idris Bugaje, was dispatched to all rectors and provosts of the affected institutions, signaling an immediate implementation from the current academic session. This move aims to establish a unified and transparent system for HND admissions.

Responding to the new directive, Fabian Benjamin, who is no longer listed as JAMB's Head of Media and Information on the board's official management team, confirmed the board's commitment to compliance. He indicated that JAMB views the instruction as a governmental mandate, which it is prepared to execute to achieve the intended positive outcomes. This centralisation effort is set to reshape the landscape of HND admissions in Nigeria polytechnics and other technical institutions.

The impetus for this sweeping reform emerged from a high-level meeting involving the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside key stakeholders including JAMB, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), NBTE, and the Federal Ministry of Education. Professor Bugaje articulated that the primary objectives behind this new JAMB centralised HND process are to streamline admissions, eradicate illicit and compromised entry practices, and prevent issues that could impede students' NYSC mobilisation following their HND completion.

The Federal Ministry of Education is expected to release a detailed statement in the coming week, providing further clarity on the implementation. Concurrently, the NBTE has been tasked with developing comprehensive NBTE HND admission guidelines. These guidelines will inform JAMB's digital platform for admissions, addressing critical aspects such as the mandatory waiting period for National Diploma (ND) holders before progressing to HND studies, and outlining exemptions for specific ND Health-related programs.

Furthermore, the circular stipulated that all part-time ND admissions will now also fall under JAMB's purview. A crucial regulatory measure introduced is the capping of part-time student enrollment at 50 percent of each institution's approved full-time quota. This ensures that the expansion of part-time programs remains within manageable and accredited capacities, aligning with the broader Nigeria polytechnic admission reforms.

The new framework also reinforces earlier directives regarding NYSC mobilisation. An existing circular from September 7, prohibiting the presentation of NCE/HND combination holders for NYSC, was reaffirmed. Under the revised guidelines, individuals holding an NCE can only gain admission into HND programs through direct entry via JAMB, and they must first secure a valid ND qualification. For NYSC mobilisation, only the ND and HND certificates will be recognized as valid credentials in such instances, clarifying the HND NCE NYSC validity.

In a related development, the Minister of Education will review the list of ND agriculture-related programs whose candidates are currently exempt from the written Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with a view to potentially extending this consideration to other programs. The NBTE has been directed to submit recommendations, with input expected from the Committee of Heads of Nigerian Polytechnics and Similar Institutions.

Rectors and provosts have been issued a stern warning regarding strict compliance with these new regulations. Any breach will invite severe regulatory sanctions, including the potential withdrawal of operational licenses. This underscores the critical importance for educational institutions to meticulously review and align their internal admission procedures with these directives, particularly concerning part-time quotas and NYSC mobilisation eligibility. Professor Bugaje also confirmed the Minister's approval for resolving all outstanding cases involving legally admitted ND part-time and HND full-time candidates, ensuring their prompt NYSC mobilisation in line with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda. The NBTE emphasized that this integration, facilitated by digitisation, guarantees admissions solely for accredited programs and within approved carrying capacities, eliminating avenues for illegal admissions.

Educational institutions must ensure strict compliance with the new JAMB-led HND admission process and associated guidelines to avoid severe regulatory sanctions, including potential withdrawal of operational licenses. Legal advisors to polytechnics and colleges of nursing should review internal admission procedures to align with these directives, particularly regarding part-time quotas and NYSC mobilisation eligibility.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online