The Federal Government has approved the takeover of admissions into Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in a major reform aimed at sanitising the admission process in polytechnics and other institutions offering HND programmes.
The decision means prospective HND students will, from the current admission session, have their admissions processed through JAMB under a centralised system.
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) disclosed this in a circular dated September 9, 2026, signed by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, and obtained by LEADERSHIP Weekend. 
The directive followed a meeting involving the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; JAMB; NBTE; the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); and officials of the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the NBTE, the new system is designed to tackle illegal, irregular and compromised admissions, particularly cases that could leave students stranded after completing their programmes.
The board said some students admitted through questionable channels had faced difficulties securing NYSC mobilisation after obtaining their HND certificates.
“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 circular stated.
The Federal Ministry of Education is expected to issue a detailed statement on the new policy next week.
NBTE also directed that comprehensive guidelines for HND admissions be developed immediately and submitted to JAMB to guide the implementation of the new digital admission platform.
The proposed guidelines will cover important issues, including the waiting period required for National Diploma (ND) holders before progressing to HND programmes.
They will also clarify exemptions applicable to certain ND health-related programmes.
Part-time ND admissions capped at 50%
The government also approved a new limit for part-time National Diploma admissions following the decision to bring all part-time ND admissions under JAMB.
Under the new arrangement, institutions will be permitted to admit part-time students up to 50 per cent of their 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,” NBTE stated.
The Federal Government further reaffirmed an earlier NBTE directive concerning candidates holding combined National Certificate in Education (NCE) and HND qualifications.
In a separate circular issued on September 7, NBTE directed that candidates with an NCE/HND combination should not be presented for NYSC mobilisation.
The latest reforms are expected to strengthen central oversight of admissions into Nigeria’s technical and polytechnic institutions while reducing irregular admission practices and protecting students from complications after graduation.
