The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Idris Bugaje, has stated that the long-standing distinction between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees will soon become irrelevant as the labour market increasingly prioritizes skills over academic credentials.
Speaking to the media, Bugaje predicted that within the next 10 to 15 years, degrees would lose their significance, making way for skills-based qualifications as the key determinant of employability.
“Degrees will soon be obsolete. In the near future, their relevance will diminish. What will secure jobs are skills-based qualifications,” he asserted.
He criticized the HND-BSc divide, calling it a “psychology of underdevelopment” that has kept Nigeria lagging. According to him, developed nations focus more on practical abilities rather than paper qualifications.
To bridge this gap, the NBTE is advocating for the transition of polytechnic programs from HND to Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) honours degrees.
Bugaje explained that this move would integrate academic learning with character development and practical skills, ultimately eliminating the disparity between HND and BSc holders—particularly in the public sector.
“Currently, an HND holder in public service cannot progress beyond grade level 14, while a degree holder can rise to the level of director. This system is unjustified, especially since HND holders often possess superior hands-on skills,” he said in an interview with The Cable.
He further highlighted the growing preference for practical skills in the industrial sector, citing instances where Nigerian industries had to hire skilled foreign workers due to a shortage of locally trained personnel.
Additionally, the NBTE is pushing for the establishment of a National Commission for Technical Education to replace the current board. Bugaje explained that this commission would have greater authority to regulate technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship training (TVET) institutions, ensuring better funding and improved service schemes.
The Federal Ministry of Education has also shown support for this shift towards skills acquisition, with initiatives like NELFUND, which provides stipends for vocational students.
Bugaje expressed optimism that these reforms would enhance career progression for polytechnic graduates and equip Nigeria with a workforce capable of executing large-scale industrial projects without dependence on foreign expertise.
“By strengthening technical education and addressing the HND-BSc divide, we will boost Nigeria’s ability to execute critical industrial projects using homegrown talent,” he concluded.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
