FG Tightens HND Admissions, Gives JAMB Control

•NBTE Unveils New Rules To Check Irregularities

The Federal Government has handed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, control of Higher National Diploma, HND, admissions as it moves to curb irregularities in polytechnics and related institutions.

The new policy takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic session and covers polytechnics, allied institutions, colleges of nursing sciences and colleges of health technology.

The National Board for Technical Education(NBTE), announced the decision in a circular dated September 9, 2026, signed by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje.

The directive followed a meeting involving Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, JAMB, NBTE, the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and the Federal Ministry of Education.

Under the new arrangement, institutions will no longer independently process HND admissions. JAMB will handle the process through a centralised system.

The government introduced the measure to tackle illegal and compromised admissions that could create problems for students after graduation.

In particular, the authorities want to prevent admission irregularities that could affect the mobilisation of HND graduates for the NYSC scheme.

The NBTE said it would immediately prepare HND Admission Guidelines and submit them to JAMB.

The guidelines will provide the framework for the digital admission platform and clarify the conditions for moving from National Diploma, ND, to HND programmes.

They will also specify the waiting period for ND holders before they can proceed to HND and outline exemptions for some ND health-related programmes.

JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the board would implement the directive.

He said JAMB would comply with the government’s instruction and ensure that the objectives of the new system receive full attention.

The reform also extends to part-time admissions.

With JAMB now handling part-time ND admissions, institutions must limit part-time intake to 50 per cent of their approved full-time quota.

The NBTE also reaffirmed its September 7 directive on the use of NCE and HND qualifications for NYSC mobilisation.

Under the rule, an NCE holder seeking HND admission must first obtain a valid ND.

Only the ND and HND qualifications will count for NYSC mobilisation in such cases.

The board said the centralised admission system would ensure that institutions admit students only into accredited programmes.

It will also prevent schools from admitting more students than their approved carrying capacities.

The government’s decision signals a tougher regulatory approach to admission practices across the technical education sector.

Institutions that violate the new rules could face sanctions, including withdrawal of their operational licences.

The NBTE said the reforms would help restore order to the admission process while protecting students from irregular entries that could affect their academic and professional progression.

The move also gives JAMB a wider role in Nigeria’s tertiary admission system as the government seeks greater uniformity and transparency across institutions.

For students seeking HND admission from the 2026/2027 session, the new system means that admission will now pass through a centralised process rather than separate arrangements operated by individual institutions.