ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The federal government has approved the takeover of Higher National Diploma admissions by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The move is aimed at ending illegal and compromised admissions in polytechnics and other institutions offering HND programmes.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), disclosed this in a circular dated September 9, 2026 signed by its executive secretary, Prof Idris Bugaje, which was obtained by LEADERSHIP Weekend yesterday.

The circular followed a meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and key stakeholders, including JAMB, the National Youth Service Corps, NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education. Under the new arrangement, all HND admissions across institutions are to be processed through JAMB from the current admission session.

According to NBTE, the centralised system is intended to address irregularities in the admission process and prevent situations where students with questionable admissions are later denied mobilisation for the NYSC after completing their HND programmes.

The board said, “All HND admissions in all institutions shall from this session be taken over by JAMB to provide centralised process and avoid illegal and compromised admissions, jeopardising students’ mobilisation for NYSC after HND.”

It added that the Federal Ministry of Education would issue a detailed statement on the new arrangement next week.

NBTE also said it would immediately develop comprehensive HND admission guidelines and submit them to JAMB to guide the digital admission platform.

“The decisions taken and approved by the Hon Minister for immediate implementation are as follows: All HND admissions in all Institutions shall from this session be taken over by JAMB to provide centralised process and avoid illegal and compromised admissions, jeopardising students mobilisation for NYSC after HND. The FME shall issue a statement on this next week with further details,” the circular stated.

The guidelines, according to the board, will address issues including the required waiting period for National Diploma holders before proceeding to HND, as well as exemptions for certain ND health-related programmes.

The board also announced a new ceiling for part-time National Diploma admissions, following the decision to bring all part-time ND admissions under JAMB.

It said the proportion of part-time students would now be limited to 50 per cent of an institution’s approved full-time admission quota.

“Now that all part-time ND admissions are under the JAMB, the proportion of part-time students is pegged at 50 per cent of the approved full-time quota,” the circular stated.

The federal government also reaffirmed an earlier NBTE directive concerning holders of combined NCE and HND qualifications and their eligibility for NYSC mobilisation.

NBTE had, in a circular issued on September 7, prohibited the presentation of candidates with an NCE/HND combination for NYSC mobilisation.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Finally, the Federal Government has announced the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance to academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the period January to August 2026.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday shortly after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation.

CATA is a financial allowance provided to academic staff to support the purchase of essential tools and materials required for teaching, research and other academic activities.

Alausa said the payment was in accordance with the provisions of the 2025 Federal Government–Academic Staff Union of Universities agreement and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its implementation.

He said, “The Office of the Minister of Education is happy to announce that the full CATA payment has now been released by the Federal Government from January to August 2026 to all universities, all polytechnics and colleges of education.

All these institutions should have received notification to start paying CATA to all academic staff.”

The minister added that payment to non-academic staff was also being processed.

And also, the payment to non-academic staff, we’re hoping that these funds will be made available, hopefully, in the next few weeks,” he said.

According to Alausa, the payment was another indication of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of academic and non-academic staff in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

“This is another indication of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to our academic and non-academic staff. President Bola Tinubu made a commitment to ensuring that the quality and welfare of our staff are prioritised. He has prioritised the welfare of our staff,” he said.

Alausa said the administration’s education reforms extended beyond staff welfare, noting that significant investments were also being made in infrastructure across tertiary institutions, as well as in basic and postgraduate education.

“Beyond prioritising the welfare of our staff, he has also significantly invested in infrastructure at all our tertiary institutions and also basic and postgraduate education,” the minister said.

He added that the administration was committed to ensuring that Nigerian children receive quality education that could compete with standards anywhere in the world.

“This is a President that believes so much in education. He has delivered beyond his promises to ensure that every single child in this country gets the highest quality of education comparable to anywhere in the world,” Alausa said.

He commended President Tinubu for what he described as a transformative initiative in the education sector.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Benue State Government has introduced a raft of new measures in public and private schools, including a ban on unauthorised external activities, after-school extra lessons and the use of mobile phones during school hours.

The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, announced the directives on Monday during a press briefing in Makurdi, saying the measures were aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents, improving discipline and raising educational standards.

Adamu said no individual, non-governmental organisation (NGO), private organisation or other external body would be allowed to access schools or conduct programmes, research, advocacy or interventions without prior approval from the ministry.

She also directed schools to discontinue extra lessons after normal school hours, stressing that learners must make effective use of regular classroom periods.

The commissioner further banned the use of mobile phones by learners during school hours and warned school authorities to ensure strict compliance.

According to her, the new academic session commenced on Monday, September 7, with students expected to resume on time, attend classes regularly and remain within authorised school areas.

“Learners are expected to resume school on time, attend classes regularly and remain within authorised school areas. Late coming, truancy and loitering during school hours must be firmly addressed by school authorities,” she said.

Adamu also condemned what she described as “barbaric ways of celebrating birthdays”, warning learners against assaulting or manhandling celebrants in classrooms, schools and hostels.

She equally cautioned parents and guardians against assaulting, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing teachers, principals and other school staff.

The commissioner warned that bullying, harassment, hazing, intimidation and other forms of violence among learners would not be tolerated.

“Bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and all forms of violence among learners are strictly prohibited. School authorities must establish and maintain safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments,” she said.

On external activities in schools, Adamu stated: “No NGO, individual, organisation or external body shall enter a school to conduct programmes, activities, research, advocacy or interventions without the appropriate authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.”

She said the new policies were intended to protect learners, strengthen school management, promote discipline, reduce unnecessary expenses for parents and improve the overall quality of education across the state.

Adamu warned that schools and individuals who violate the directives would face sanctions under relevant laws and regulations.

“I therefore warn that non-compliance with approved policies and directives will attract appropriate sanctions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines,” she said.

She directed school proprietors, principals and heads of schools to familiarise themselves with all ministry directives and ensure their full implementation.

“Ignorance of an existing policy will not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance,” she added.